John Kerry is set to hold talks in Berlin as his first overseas tour as secretary of state continues.
Discussions are expected to focus on the crisis in Syria and Iran’s controversial nuclear program.
In addition to talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle, Kerry is due to meet for the first time with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
The planned meeting comes at a time of heightened tensions between Washington and Moscow.
The Kremlin has blocked efforts in the United Nations to take further action against Syria and banned U.S. adoptions of Russian children amid criticism from Washington about Russia’s human rights record.