John Kerry Talks Ukraine With Russian's Foreign Minister, Reroutes Trip

[ProSense]

John Kerry Talks Ukraine With Russian's Foreign Minister, Reroutes Trip

Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov discussed Ukraine in a phone call Saturday — ahead of an impending meeting next week in the wake of international sanctions against Russia.

During the phone call, Kerry rerouted his plane from Saudi Arabia and headed to Europe in anticipation of meeting Lavrov next week, possibly as soon as Monday, a senior administration official told NBC News.

Details of their phone call weren't immediately released. But Russia's foreign ministry said the call was initiated by the United States and followed Russian President Vladimir Putin's call to President Barack Obama on Friday. The pair discussed a proposal for a diplomatic solution after Russia's annexation of Crimea this month.

Kerry left Washington last Monday, and had been in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Friday before he was supposed to fly back to the United States on Saturday, a U.S. State Department spokeswoman said.

- more -

http://www.nbcnews.com/#/storyline/ukraine-crisis/john-kerry-talks-ukraine-russians-foreign-minister-reroutes-trip-n66826

Russia's Putin calls Obama to discuss U.S. proposal on Ukraine: White House
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024745396

[ProSense]

1. Kick! n/t

[okaawhatever]

2. Good news. I hope they can make Ukraine some sort of neutral zone and work out a tri-lateral

defense agreement that allows it to be protected by NATO in the event Russia attacks, and protected by Russia if a NATO country attacks. That would put them in the cat bird's seat and allow a comfortable buffer for all concerned. They could really make use of their geographical location to benefit all of their citizens. Of course, any agreement should include a provision that we never see Steven Segal in the press again. Or movies, for that matter.

[Wounded Bear]

3. Or just send Seagall over there...

I'm sure we could get a couple of barrels of oil for him.

[okaawhatever]

4. Even better. nt

[Gothmog]

5. This is good news

President Obama's speech on Thursday may have worked.

[ProSense]

6. Yes, it is.

The peanut gallery couldn't have imagined any progress a few days ago as they laughed at the sanctions and continued to beat the war drums.

[SunsetDreams]

7. kick nt

[dipsydoodle]

8. Meeting is to be held on Sunday.

Tomorrow.

[Cha]

9. Good the communication lines are open.. Speaking of Putin's call to the President..