US Secretary of State John Kerry (R) and Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov pose for a photograph before their meeting at Winfield House, the home of the US ambassador in London March 14, 2014.[Photo/Agencies]

Obama rejects Crimea referendum Ukraine crisis

LONDON -- No major agreement was reached Friday at the US-Russia talks on Ukraine in London, as both sides refused to back down from their previous stances towards the stalemate in Ukraine.

US Secretary of State John Kerry and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov held separate press conferences after their talks which lasted for about six hours in London.

Lavrov said Russia and the United States did not have a "common vision" on the crisis in Ukraine, while emphasizing that Russia will respect "the will of the people of Crimea" the results of the referendum in the region on Sunday.

While both sides described their talks as "constructive", major disagreements regarding Ukraine remain unresolved between the two countries.

At the press conference, Kerry said Russian President Vladimir Putin is "not prepared" to make any decision on Ukraine yet.

"After much discussion, Foreign Minister Lavrov made it clear that president Putin is not prepared to make any decision regarding Ukraine until after the referendum on Sunday," Kerry said.

Kerry said the United States and its allies "respect" Russia's legitimate interests in Ukraine, but insisted that there is "a better way" for Russia to pursue the interests.

"There are legitimate interests, historical, cultural...strategic. There are real interests. All of us, who are joined together in the EU and the extended contact group, understand that interests and we are prepared to respect them," he said.

Moreover, the US official stressed that international and multilateral norms are needed to solve the Ukraine crisis.

Kerry reiterated that his country will not recognize the outcome of the referendum in Crimea, describing the upcoming vote as "illegitimate".

"The President (Obama) has made it clear that there will be consequences if Russia doesn't not find a way to change course," Kerry added.

Crimea, a Ukrainian autonomous republic, will hold a referendum Sunday over its future status.

British Foreign Secretary William Hague on Friday warned that the European Union (EU) will take "further measures" if the US-Russia talks over Ukraine crisis in London make no progress.

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