Kerry promised US progress on adoption: Lavrov

BERLIN (AFP) - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Tuesday that his US counterpart John Kerry had acknowledged problems in cases of US-adopted Russian orphans and promised "full transparency".

The issue of adoptions of Russian orphans by US nationals has become a major sticking point in bilateral ties and has triggered an unprecedented standoff in recent weeks.

"We discussed problems with adoptions of Russian children in detail," mr Lavrov was quoted as saying by Russian news agencies.

"John Kerry acknowledged that these problems are not made up, that they are real and assured (us) that he will personally take all necessary measures to ensure full transparency for us and accountability in this sphere in the United States."