Kerry urges Moscow to implement Ukraine peace deal

US Secretary of State John Kerry has urged Moscow to fully implement last month's ceasefire agreement on Ukraine, the State Department said in a statement today.
The peace deal reached last month in the Belarussian capital Minsk between Kiev, Moscow and the pro-Russian separatists in east Ukraine includes monitoring and verification by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) on both sides of the border.
In a phone call, "Secretary Kerry and Foreign Minister Lavrov discussed the situation in Ukraine and Secretary Kerry emphasized the need for Russia to implement all 12 points in the September 5th Minsk Agreement," the statement said of Friday's conversation.

The two top diplomats "also discussed the ongoing P5+1 negotiations on Iran's nuclear program," the statement said.
The six powers leading the talks with Iran, known as the P5+1, have set the November deadline to reach a comprehensive deal.
The aim is to close all of Tehran's avenues towards developing an atomic bomb, by cutting back its nuclear enrichment program, shutting down suspect facilities and imposing tough international inspections.
"Secretary Kerry provided an update on his recent tri-lateral meeting with EU High Representative (Catherine) Ashton and Iranian Foreign Minister (Javad) Zarif and they agreed to stay in close touch on the issue in the weeks ahead," the State Department added.