US Seeks 'Common Ground' with Russia on Syria, Ukraine

Secretary of State John Kerry is calling for America and Russia to find "common ground" to end Syria's civil war and to restore stability to Eastern Ukraine.

Kerry is in Moscow meeting with its foreign minister and President Vladimir Putin.

The United States and Moscow are are at odds over a political transition to halt the war in Syria, as well as the military approach to fighting the Islamic State.

As he began a series of what are expected to be difficult discussions in the Russian capital, Kerry said, "Even when there have been differences between us, we have been able to work effectively on specific issues. Today, I hope we can find some common ground."

Kerry's meetings will determine whether a new international diplomatic conference on Syria will go ahead as planned at the United Nations on Friday.