Paris, March 5 (RHC)-- Russia and the United States are holding face-to-face talks today for the first time since the crisis in Ukraine escalated last month.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is meeting with his U.S. counterpart, Secretary of State John Kerry, on the sidelines of a summit in Paris.

On Tuesday, Kerry visited the Ukrainian capital of Kiev to show support for the government that replaced ousted President Viktor Yanukovich. Kerry pledged around $1 billion in U.S. aid and warned Russia of sanctions if it does not withdraw from Crimea.

In addition to the one billion dollars from the United States, the European Union is set to offer a $15 billion aid package today.