Kerry and Lavrov laid wreaths at a memorial complex in Sochi dedicated to those who died in battles during WWII.
С.Лавров и Дж.Керри в Сочи возлагают цветы/Lavrov & Kerry laid wreaths at memorial to fallen soldiers in Sochi pic.twitter.com/0zK5YnxGZw
— МИД России (@MID_RF) 12 мая 2015
Earlier in the day, Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Moscow considered this visit "very positive."
Honoring Russia's #WWII fallen at the #Sochi memorial with Secretary Kerry & FM Lavrov #KerryinSochi pic.twitter.com/e09WLpQoqh
— Will Stevens (@WBStevens) 12 мая 2015
US State Department said in a statement Monday that the visit was part of an "ongoing effort" to maintain direct communication with senior Russian officials, and to make sure that US views were clearly conveyed.
The top US diplomat has cancelled his trip to Russia many times, a diplomatic source told RIA Novosti.
Before wreath-laying ceremony at WWII Memorial in Sochi. Russian FM Lavrov & Secretary of State Kerry pic.twitter.com/aFhtiBcIbA
— Anna Ivanchenko (@Anna_Iva_RT) 12 мая 2015
The agenda of talks between Kerry and Putin is expected to be very broad. However, Kremlin spokesman said that Moscow would not bring up the issue of sanctions, introduced in the past year over the situation in Ukraine.
Handshake / Рукопожатие pic.twitter.com/arBjoA3YA3
— MFA Russia (@mfa_russia) 12 мая 2015
A diplomatic source told RIA Novosti on Monday that Moscow did not expect a breakthrough because of Kerry's visit, but considered 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.
