WASHINGTON — Secretary of State John Kerry has urged Russia to remove forces from eastern Ukraine and press Ukrainian separatists into observing a cease-fire.
The State Department says Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov (SEHR’-gay LAHV’-rahf) spoke by telephone Wednesday.
Kerry insisted Russia pull troops from eastern Ukraine. The U.S. says Russians provide heavy weaponry and training to Ukraine’s rebels, and operate surface-to-air missile sites.
The department didn’t provide Lavrov’s response. Russia says it has no troops in Ukraine.