U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry positively assessed the chances of the Ukrainian settlement process following his talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Speaking at talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Friday, Kerry described his negotiations with Putin as productive and thanked the Russian leader for that. Kerry also said that a great deal of homework would have to be done. He said there was every chance to secure a real settlement of the situation in Ukraine.

However, Moscow and Washington still have some unresolved issues in the context of the crisis in Ukraine, Kerry said, adding that hopefully they would be solved during today's talks.

Kerry said that his conversation with Putin on Thursday was extremely straightforward and sincere.