Syria and Ukraine may be among the main topics on the agenda of a meeting between Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry in Rome, Italy, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said.
“I think that, beyond any doubt, they will extensively discuss Ukraine,” Ryabkov told reporters on Nov. 30.
Lavrov and Kerry are supposed to meet during the international conference Mediterranean Dialogues that will take place on Dec.1-Dec.3 in Rome.
Among other aspects, they might also discuss the recent “Normandy Format” meeting, Ryabkov said.
“We are keeping closely in touch with the American side on this matter, and it will be natural of the Russian side to discuss this topic following the Minsk meeting in the ‘Normandy Format’,” the high-ranking diplomat said.
As far as Syria is concerned, there will be “a real search for any formulas, at least approximate ones, on how it is possible to come out of this situation,” he said.
The meeting may also address the possibilities to further reduce the risk for residents of the Syrian city of Aleppo and arrange their evacuation, Ryabkov said.
“In addition, there will also be issues linked with determining the numbers of militants, terrorists,” Ryabkov said.
The deputy minister said he did not rule out that the issue of extending humanitarian aid to Aleppo residents would be raised at the meeting as well.
