Russia says US is welcome to mediate Ukraine crisis

MOSCOW, Nov 08, 2014 (BSS/AFP) - Russia's top diplomat Sergei Lavrov said Saturday that US involvement in resolving the conflict in Ukraine would be a "step in the right direction", after meeting with his US counterpart John Kerry in Beijing.

Lavrov's remarks appeared to soften Russia's line on the crisis ahead of high-level meetings between President Vladimir Putin and world leaders at an APEC summit in China and a Group of 20 summit in Australia next week.

"Our positions on what is happening in Ukraine do not correspond with the United States, but if Washington is interested in contributing to the reconciliation of the situation and creating dialogue between Kiev and the rebel leadership... I think that would be a step in the right direction," the Russian foreign minister said in comments shown on state television.