U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry’s trip to Russia, only his second since taking office, may be one of the most important journeys of his career.
He is expected to meet Russian President, Vladimir Putin, and Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, in the Black Sea resort of Sochi, where the Winter Olympics were held in 2014.
Is this a sign that the froideur between the U.S. and Russia, over the latter’s apparent role in the war in Ukraine, is thawing?
Here, we take a look at why this particular trip is so significant.
Both Russia and the U.S. are worried that the conflict in Syria will spread even further. With Islamic militants recruiting from both of their countries, there are serious concerns that this could lead to attacks on their own soil.
This is ostensibly the main reason for Kerry’s trip and comes after years of attempts to find a solution. In Europe, the human cost of the conflict can be seen in the deaths of desperate migrants from the war zone trying to cross the Mediterranean.
