MOSCOW - Russia and the United States have reached some consensus on Syria during U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry's visit, but relations are far from thawing so long as the sanctions on Russia are not lifted.
During his two-day visit, Kerry held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Syria, the situation in the Korean Peninsula and ties between their two countries.
The two sides agreed that further talks will be focused on details of Syria's political transition, including a framework and a draft constitution, among other issues.
The political transition in Syria is the best and perhaps the only way to end the war, Kerry told a press conference late Thursday night.
The agenda of further talks would include a timetable "for establishing a framework for political transition and also a draft constitution, both to be finished by August," said Kerry, who arrived here on Wednesday.
Kerry and Lavrov outlined specific objectives on which Russia and the United States agreed to cooperate.
On settlement of the Syrian crisis, the two sides would take steps to reinforce cessation of hostilities and end the use of indiscriminate weapons.(Xinhua)