Earlier in the day, Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Moscow considered this visit “very positive.”
Kerry is expected to discuss the situation in Ukraine, Yemen, Iran and Syria with Lavrov.
The agenda of talks between Kerry and Putin is expected to be very broad. However, Peskov stated that Moscow will not bring up the issue of sanctions, introduced in the past year over the situation in Ukraine.
Here we go! #KerryinSochi pic.twitter.com/UwKTLt2u2l
— Will Stevens (@WBStevens) 12 мая 2015
A diplomatic source told RIA Novosti on Monday that Moscow does not expect a breakthrough because of Kerry's visit, but considers it symbolic and important.
Following his visit to Sochi, Kerry will head to Turkey’s Antalya, where he will take part in a meeting of NATO foreign ministers on May 13.