MATTHEW LEE
AP Diplomatic Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) — Secretary of State John Kerry on Saturday pressed his Russian counterpart to make clear Moscow’s commitment to end the flow of weapons and other support to separatists in Ukraine, the State Department said.
Kerry’s call with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov came after pro-Russia separatists downed a Ukrainian military transport plane. All 49 troops and crew members aboard were killed.
The U.S. contends Russia has sent tanks and rocket launchers to the rebels.
A State Department official said Kerry expressed “strong concern” about the shootdown and the flow of weapons and militants across the Russian-Ukraine border. Kerry also urged a fair settlement of a natural gas dispute.
Kerry also talked with Ukraine’s prime minister, Arseniy Yatsenyuk.
The official spoke on condition of anonymity to describe private calls.
In addition, the U.S. condemned an attack on the Russian Embassy in Kiev, the Ukrainian capital. Protesters threw eggs and overturned parked cars with diplomatic plates.
Ukraine must meet its international obligations to provide “adequate security,” department spokesman Jen Psaki said.
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