Lavrov, Kerry discuss Korean nuclear test

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MOSCOW, Feb. 18 (UPI) -- The U.S. State Department said it was able to discuss the North Korean nuclear test with fellow U.N. Security Council member Russia.

The State Department expressed frustration last week that U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry hadn't been able to reach Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to discuss the recent North Korean nuclear test. The Kremlin said Lavrov's schedule interfered with some of his other diplomatic commitments.

Russia's state-run news agency RIA Novosti reports Lavrov was able to discuss "the situation in Northeast Asia in view of the recent North Korean nuclear test."

North Korea last week conducted its third underground nuclear test. The test was part of what Pyongyang said was an anti-U.S. campaign. The Security Council condemned the test.

Both sides, RIA Novosti said, promised to "keep in touch" on North Korean developments.

Kerry and Lavrov are to meet next month at a Security Council session on Afghanistan. Their meeting will be the first since Kerry became secretary of state.