DHAKA: The US secretary of state John Kerry has rejected talks offer with Russian president Vladimir Putin until Moscow engages with US proposals on Ukraine’s crisis.

John Kerry told his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov that Moscow’s military intervention in Crimea had made any negotiations extremely difficult.

US officials say there will be little to talk about if the referendum on Crimea’s future goes ahead.

The vote is to be held on Sunday,- Ukraine and the West say it is illegal, reports The Straits Times.

BDST: 1731 HRS, MAR 11, 2014