DHAKA: Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov has held talks with his Ukrainian counterpart Andriy Deshchytsia, for the first time since Russia’s move into Crimea triggered a diplomatic crisis.

Lavrov says Russia is unfazed by the prospect of being expelled from the G8.

Other members of the group of industrialized countries have agreed not to hold a planned summit in Russia.

The move comes as Ukrainian troops are leaving Crimea after Russian forces seized military bases in the region.

Earlier this month, Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine after a referendum considered illegal by Kiev and the West.

Lavrov met Deshchytsia, Ukraine’s interim foreign minister, on the sidelines of a nuclear security summit in The Hague on Monday, reports the BBC.

BDST: 1242 HRS, MAR 25, 2014