Kerry Admits U.S. and Russia Face High Expectations Over Syria

Not that Putin is likely to suffer

As Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov got down to the business of crafting a deal for Syria to hand over its chemical weapons, Kerry on Thursday acknowledged the high expectations that exist for both powerful nations.

"They're high for the us, perhaps even higher for Russia to deliver at this moment," Kerry said from Geneva, in opening remarks ahead of the negotiations. "This is not a game."

Any deal for Syria to relinquish its stockpiles, he said, must be real, comprehensive, verifiable and implemented in a timely fashion. He added, "There ought to be consequences if it doesn't take place."