U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry thanked Moscow for its steps in the process of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement, Russian media reported Saturday, July 16.

After talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Kerry said he is grateful to President Vladimir Putin for his leadership role.

Kerry reminded that just last month, Putin met with the Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents, adding that everyone will benefit from avoiding a new outbreak of violence.

Kerry said with the Russian, American and French support, there is a potential for progress in the conflict settlement.