Kerry, Lavrov to discuss Ukraine at Munich Security Conference

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov plan to meet Saturday to discuss the escalating Ukraine conflict at this year’s Munich Security Conference in Germany.
The U.S. has accused Russia of directly intervening on behalf of pro-Russian rebels in Ukraine.
The meeting comes at a critical time during the conflict in Ukraine.
In recent days, pro-Russian forces pushed Ukrainian army and volunteer forces off about 200 square miles of territory and threatened to capture a key rail hub that would link rebel “capitals.”
U.S. President Barack Obama said he is deciding on whether to arm the poorly equipped Ukrainian military, which Russian officials have repeatedly said would be seen as a provocation. It is important that progress is made and “discussions produce a result,” Lavrov said.
Lavrov will also meet with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko at the conference, which could have a more direct impact on the bloody conflict between the neighboring countries.
Kerry joins Vice President Joe Biden in leading the American delegation to the conference.