MOSCOW. March 17 (Interfax) - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry discussed the current crisis in Ukraine by telephone on Sunday, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
The talks were held at the American side's initiative.
Lavrov said that the ultra-nationalist and radical forces' increasing provocations in southeastern regions of Ukraine, which have led to civilian loss of life already, are seriously destabilizing the situation, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statemenet.
"Lavrov urged the United States to influence the Ukrainian authorities into taking serious measures to end the mass lawlessness and violence against the Russian-speaking population, our compatriots and all Ukrainian citizens being persecuted for dissent," the statement says.
Kerry in turn said that Washington is doing the necessary work and hopes it will yield positive results.
The Russian side reaffirmed its fundamental position on the Crimean referendum.
"Lavrov and Kerry agreed to continue contacts in search for a settlement of the situation in Ukraine through an earliest possible launch of constitutional reform, assisted by the world community in a generally acceptable form and with due respect for the interests of all regions of Ukraine," the Russian Foreign Ministry said.