Moscow and Washington are discussing a possible visit to Russia by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry to discuss the Ukraine crisis, Reuters reported, citing diplomatic sources.

It would be Kerry's first visit to Russia since the start of the conflict in Ukraine, during which ties between Washington and Moscow have plunged to their worst level since the Cold War.

"Talks (on arranging a Kerry visit) have been going on for weeks," one diplomatic source told Reuters, adding that the visit could take place "in the coming days or weeks."

Russian newspaper Kommersant quoted unnamed sources on Friday, Jan 30, as saying Kerry would visit Moscow for talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Feb 4-5.

Washington accuses Russia of sending troops and weapons to eastern Ukraine, a charge which Moscow denies. Russia says the West was behind the overthrow of a Ukrainian president backed by Moscow, an accusation denied by Washington and Brussels.