You're reading: Lavrov to Kerry: U.S., EU sanctions against Russian officials ‘absolutely unacceptable’

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry had a telephone conversation on Tuesday at the latter's initiative, during which the Russian minister said the sanctions imposed by the U.S. and European Union against some Russian officials are "absolutely unacceptable" and will not be left without consequences, the Russian Foreign Ministry reports.

 Lavrov and Kerry also considered “the situation in Ukraine and
opportunities for international assistance in overcoming an acute crisis
in this country on the basis of broad internal Ukrainian dialogue
involving all responsible political forces and all regions. Willingness
was reaffirmed to continue discussing proposals aimed at implementing
the February 21 agreements with the aim of establishing order and
starting a comprehensive constitutional reform,” it says.

Lavrov “particularly stressed the need for putting an end to
provocations by ultra-nationalistic and radical forces in relation to
the Russian-speaking population and our compatriots in the southeastern
and other parts of Ukraine,” it said.

“OSCE or Council of Europe observers could be used for these
purposes, on the condition of ensuring their unbiased mandate and clear
coordination of the sites and modalities of their deployment in various
regions of Ukraine,” it said.

“Lavrov and Kerry agreed to continue working contacts in searching for ways to settle the situation in Ukraine,” it said.