Kerry and Lavrov discussed the possibility of federalization of Ukraine

In Paris, the Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov and the U.S. Secretary of State Kerry concluded their talks, which lasted four hours, in Paris. At their end, the foreign ministers addressed reporters separately.

Lavrov said that Kerry agreed to discuss issues of the rights of Russian-speaking population with Kiev, reports Associated Press.

Lavrov called the talks "very constructive." Among other issues, they discussed the possibility of transformation of Ukraine into a federal state and the need to disarm provocateurs, Lavrov said, adding that in Ukraine "a unitary state model does not work ."

 Kerry held a press conference at the U.S. Embassy and said that the talks dealt with the withdrawal of Russian troops from the border with Ukraine. According to him, the presence of Russian troops "creates an atmosphere of fear and intimidation in Ukraine." He made it clear that the United States continues to believe the Russian actions in Crimea are illegitimate.

Kerry confirmed that during the talks they touched upon the issue of federalization of Ukraine, but he stressed that the decision on this issue can be decided only by the Ukrainian side. -02D-