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President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr Secretary of State, colleagues,

I would like to heartily welcome you to Moscow.

Mr Secretary of State, we see the efforts you are making to resolve a number of pressing issues. We find it hard to follow your movements – I can see you need to catch up on your sleep. You know that together with you we are all looking for solutions to the most acute crises.

I know that after our meeting in Paris, the American side presented its ideas regarding ways to resolve a number of issues, including the Syrian crisis. Today you also had substantive talks at Russia’s Foreign Ministry.

Foreign Minister Lavrov has just briefed me on your proposals and on certain issues that require additional discussion. I am very happy to have this opportunity to meet with you and to discuss this entire range of issues.

Thank you.

United States Secretary of State John Kerry: Mr President,

Thank you very much for welcoming me and thank you for bringing your team with Foreign Minister Mr Lavrov leading it at the disposal of our efforts. It has been a good cooperative effort and we are very appreciative for what we have achieved so far.

You had a chance to speak with President Obama in New York and then subsequently in Paris and both you and President Obama have committed yourselves to trying to develop as much as possible through Foreign Minister Lavrov and me an approach that can try to deal with both Ukraine and deal with Syria.

With regard to Syria, Vienna-1 and Vienna-2 were a strong beginning, opening up possibilities, and I think there is no question – Foreign Minister Lavrov and I have agreed – that together the United States and Russia have an ability to be able to make a significant difference here.

So, I very much look forward to our discussions now and appreciate the seriousness of your commitment of time and thought about these issues.

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