Russia calls for dialogue in Ukraine mediated by the OSCE.

Reuters reported that in a May 9 phone call with his US counterpart John Kerry, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov urged the Kiev authorities and the southeastern regions of Ukraine to hold urgent dialogue mediated by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

The head of the Russian Foreign Ministry also urged Washington to help end the Kiev government's military operations in southeastern Ukraine, release political prisoners, and grant amnesty to protesters.

Ukrainian soldiers conduct security checks at a checkpoint near the eastern city of Slavyansk on May 8. (Source: AFP/VNA)

Earlier, on May 9, the European Commission (EC) announced that officials from the European Union (EU), Russia, and Ukraine would meet in Brussels, Belgium, on May 12 to discuss the future of gas supplies from Russia to Ukraine and Europe.

According to the EC, the upcoming meeting aims to lay the groundwork for a second round of ministerial-level negotiations, which could take place in the middle of this month.

According to VNA