Kerry, Lavrov meet in Geneva to discuss Syria, Ukraine

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, left, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, right, walk to their seats prior to a bilateral meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, Friday, Aug. 26, 2016. The U.S. and Russia renewed efforts to secure a military and humanitarian cooperation agreement for war-torn Syria as conditions on the ground continued to deteriorate after months of hesitation, missed deadlines and failed attempts to forge a nationwide truce. (Martial Trezzini/Pool Photo via AP) (The Associated Press)

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, center, arrives for a new round of talks on Syria, in Geneva, Switzerland, Friday, Aug. 26, 2016. (Martial Trezzini/Keystone via AP) (The Associated Press)

The top diplomats of Russia and the United States are meeting in Geneva to discuss the Syria civil war, the Ukraine crisis and other issues.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov were meeting as part of a new U.S. bid to enlist Russia as a partner in Syria as the fighting on the ground becomes more volatile with the introduction of Turkish ground forces.

The U.N. has been clamoring for a 48-hour cease-fire in beleaguered Aleppo so humanitarian aid can be shipped into the city.

Asked by a reporter to describe the main impediment to a nationwide ceasefire in Syria, Lavrov said: "I don't want to spoil the atmosphere for the negotiations."

Kerry was to meet with the U.N. envoy for Syria later Friday.