If this AP photograph is representative of the state of U.S.-Russia talks over the crisis in Ukraine, the most casual of international observers would agree: they're not going all that well.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and his Russian counterpart, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, are meeting in London for talks on Friday over the escalating situation in Ukraine. Secretary Kerry is hoping to put a halt to the Crimean referendum -- which is scheduled for Sunday -- while Lavrov is pushing Russia's plan for the region: an annexation of the southern Ukrainian peninsula.
Posing for a photograph before heading into their talks, the two appeared solemn. Lavrov stares imperviously, his brow furrowed, while Kerry appears rather dismal and dejected.
Shortly thereafter, the two strolled off into a field for their discussions.
The Russian staffer operating the the Russian Foreign Ministry's Twitter account then snapped a photo as the two walked off into the distance. "Lavrov and Kerry," they wrote. "Hope they will be back."
Lavrov and Kerry. Hope they will be back pic.twitter.com/ZXDFNSCzhE— MFA Russia (@mfa_russia) March 14, 2014