US, Russia still apart after talks on Ukraine

World Today

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Paris on Tuesday in a first step in the diplomatic process to deescalate tensions between Russia and the West. CCTV America’s Kate Parkinson reports from Donetsk.

After hours of talks, the differences between the U.S. and Russia over Ukraine persisted. With a cease-fire barely holding, Kerry said Russia and the rebels it supports must halt the violence in the restive east and pull back forces and weapons. Kerry also said elections planned for next month to create an independent state are illegitimate and would violate a September peace accord.

Ukraine has accused Russia of stepping up its military support for the rebels, a charge that Moscow denies.

The rhetoric will likely continue in the days to come as President Vladimir Putin heads to Italy later this week for talks with European leaders and Ukraine’s president.