WASHINGTON, Oct 4 : US Secretary of State John Kerry told his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov of his "concern" on Friday over the escalation of violence in eastern Ukraine and urged Moscow and pro-Russian separatists to respect a faltering ceasefire.
Kerry telephoned the Russian foreign minister and they had a 10-minute conversation, State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said, as Ukrainian forces clashed with pro-Russian insurgents over control of a strategic airport in the east of Ukraine.
"He called to express his concern about intensifying violence in eastern Ukraine," Psaki said.
"He also underscored that Russia and the separatists they back must immediately implement their obligations under the September 5 ceasefire agreement and September 19 implementing agreement they signed in Minsk, including a secure Russian-Ukrainian border."     ?AFP