Kerry's meeting with Lavrov and Russian President Vladimir Putin in May generated speculation about its implications for US-Russian relations and the crisis in Ukraine.
"I think we are sufficiently realistic. President Putin talks to President Obama on the phone from time to time, the dialogue is pretty pragmatic, they discuss specific areas of cooperation where both countries could benefit," Lavrov told Bloomberg.
"I would call this a realization of the need for normalcy," Lavrov added.
Lavrov also said that he and Kerry agreed to maintain contacts between Moscow and Washington on a regular basis to exchange assessments of the situation.
Some Must Decide on Syria
Lavrov told Bloomberg that the US "obsession" with overthrowing Assad is not helping resolve the Syrian conflict.
"Some external players must answer the question of who presents a greater threat, Assad or the Islamic State," Lavrov said.
The American bombing of ISIL-held Syrian territory without its government's agreement was also a mistake, Lavrov said, calling the decision to begin the bombing campaign without a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution regrettable.
