Ukraine Crisis : U.S./Russia Deadlock Despite 'Frank' Talks

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has announced no breakthrough on Ukraine , following four hours of "Frank" talks with Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov

Mr. Kerry said he told Mr. Lavrov that the U.S. still considered Russia's takeover of Ukraine's Crimea region to be " illegal and illegitimate" , he said he had stressed that no decision on Ukrain's future could be made without Kiev's involvement

Earlier Mr.Lavrov set out demands for a neutral and federal Ukraine , Mr. Kerry told a news confrence in Paris " We will not accept a path forward where the Legitimate Government of Ukraine is not at the table , this princepal is clear , no decision about Ukraine without Ukraine", he said he had also raised "strong concerns" about the presence of Russian troops on the Ukraine border , which he said created a climate of fear and intimidation

Mr. Lavrov has categorically denied plans for an invation , at a separate briefing , the Russian Foreign Minister said he and Mr. Kerry agreed to work with the Ukrainain Government to improve rights for Russian speaking Ukrainians and disarm "irregular forces and provocateurs"

Moscow claims that "fascists" have taken power in Ukraine , jepordising the safety of Russian speakers , Mr. Lavrov told Russian State T.V. before the crisis talks on Sunday that Ukraine should come up with a new constatution " providing for a Federal structure" and neutrality

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said it deeply regretted Mr. Lavrov's "patronizing" remarks  , described them as an attempt to break up the Country