Top US diplomat John Kerry is set to meet his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov in Rome, amid anger in Moscow over the prospect of new US sanctions and possible supply of US weapons to Ukraine.
There had been confusion after the Russian embassy in Rome said the duo would meet Sunday while the US said it would be Monday. A State Department official later clarified to AFP that the talks would indeed be on Sunday.
Despite the tensions over the separatist war in east Ukraine, Russian deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov said that "the main focus at their 17th meeting this year would be on the Middle East," where Islamic State jihadists have overrun large parts of Syria and Iraq.
State Department deputy spokeswoman Marie Harf said Friday that the pair would discuss the Palestinian bid for statehood at the United Nations, as well as the crises in Ukraine and in Syria, where the United States and its partners are battling Islamic State fighters.
The announcement of the talks came a day after US lawmakers defied President Barack Obama and approved fresh economic sanctions against Russia.
The legislation also authorises, but does not require, Obama to provide $US350 million ($A379 million) worth of lethal and non-lethal military aid to Ukraine, including anti-tank weapons, ammunition and "tactical troop-operated surveillance drones."
Obama has yet to approve the bulk of an arms request by Kiev.
Ryabkov said he expected Lavrov to raise the US bill with Kerry in Rome.
"We see the passing by both houses the above legislative act as yet another demonstration of anti-Russian moods and attempts to dictate decisions to us that for us are categorically unacceptable," Ryabkov said.
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