John Kerry voices ‘grave concern’ about Ukraine

US secretary of state John Kerry yesterday expressed “gave concern” to his Russian counterpart about a sharp rise in separatist attacks in eastern Ukraine and urged an immediate ceasefire, the State Department said.

Kerry’s comments, in a telephone call with Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov, reflected growing US worries about the increasing violence between Ukrainian government forces and pro-Russian rebels.

“The secretary expressed grave concern about the sharp increase in separatist attacks in Eastern Ukraine, and urged an immediate ceasefire and full implementation of Minsk obligations,” the State Department said in a statement.