Lavrov, Kerry 'Agree On Need' For Syria Peace Conference

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry (right) and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov confer during a press briefing at the State Department in Washington on August 9.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says he and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry have agreed on the need to start a Syrian peace conference in Geneva as soon as possible.

Lavrov made the remarks after talks in Washington on August 9 with Kerry.

Lavrov said he and Kerry agreed they should meet again by the end of August to prepare for the proposed Geneva talks.

Kerry said Russia and the United States needed to find ways to work around their differences on Syria’s civil war, and to make progress on missile defense, Afghanistan, and nuclear disputes with Iran and North Korea.

The talks came as the political mood between Moscow and Washington hit a low point – with U.S. President Barack Obama earlier this week canceling an upcoming meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Based on reporting by Reuters, AP, and AFP