Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry may meet in March, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told Interfax in an interview published Friday.
"All things considered, a face-to-face meeting probably won't happen by the end of February. But afterward a meeting should be held. We're considering the possibilities now. It's not very clear what the minister and the secretary's itineraries are, and how they can intersect," he said.
In response to a question about whether the meeting would take place in March, Ryabkov said, "It's probably possible, but we have to exclude the word 'likely.'"
It was reported earlier this week that new U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry had repeatedly phoned Lavrov to discuss North Korea's nuclear test, but had not heard back from the Russian minister.
Lavrov has been traveling in Africa this week, including official stops in Mozambique, Algeria and the west African nation of Guinea, according to the Foreign Ministry's website.
Related articles:
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
