Kerry to Meet with Putin in Sochi to Discuss Ukraine and Syria

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry will be meeting with Russian leaders this week in Sochi to discuss the ongoing crisis in Ukraine as well as other global issues, including Syria and Iran.

The meeting, which will include Kerry, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, will include discussions of the Ukrainian conflict, Syria, and Iran. The meeting serves as the first visit by a top U.S. official to Russia since the Ukrainian crisis began a year ago.

A press release from the U.S. Department of State says the country's officials will "discuss a full range of bilateral and regional issues, including Iran, Syria, and Ukraine."

"This trip is part of our ongoing effort to maintain direct lines of communication with senior Russian officials and to ensure U.S. views are clearly conveyed," the statement adds.

A diplomatic source told the RIA news agency that the upcoming talks are "very important" to both countries involved.

"We hope he (Kerry) will bring something new, some fresh look at ... (the situation in) Ukraine and bilateral relations," the source told the Russian media outlet.

Kerry will reportedly meet with Putin and Lavrov in the Black Sea resort town of Sochi on Monday and Tuesday.

According to the Wall Street Journal, Russia's Foreign Ministry said in a statement that there is currently a "difficult period" in relations between the U.S. and Russia due to "the targeted unfriendly actions of Washington."

The country's Foreign Ministry added that it hopes this week's meeting will "serve to normalize bilateral relations, on which global stability in large part depends."