Lavrov hopes talks with Kerry will be useful

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said he is hopeful that the talks with US Secretary of State John Kerry will be useful. “We’re preparing a response to a message to President Vladimir Putin from his US counterpart Barack Obama,” Lavrov said after the talks with the Hungarian colleagues on Thursday. In this respect the meetings with the US Secretary of State will be useful, the Russian minister said. Several days ago US National Security Advisor Thomas Donilon visited Moscow. He brought a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin from his US counterpart Barack Obama where proposals had been put forth to overcome the deadlock in missile defence. Lavrov noted that the talks with Kerry were expected to focus on strategic stability in all aspects, including missile defence. “Of course, other bilateral issues and international cooperation will be touched upon,” he added. Kerry will make a visit to Russia on May 7-8. Earlier, US State Department spokesman Patrick Ventrell said the Secretary of State hopes for a serious dialogue as part of the visit to Moscow. Kerry intends to discuss such important issues as the situation in Syria and Iran, as well as the upcoming G-8 summit, Ventrell added.