Putin, Obama agree on cooperation to implement Syria agreement

Feb 16, 2016, 14:38

"President Obama emphasized the importance now of Russia playing a constructive role by ceasing its air campaign against moderate opposition forces in Syria", Obama's office said in a statement recounting a Saturday telephone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

President Barack Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke over the phone today, according to the Kremlin.

The leaders "agreed to activate cooperation via diplomatic agencies and other structures with the goal of implementing the declaration reached in Munich" on Friday, the statement said.

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The two leaders discussed topics including the Syria peace process and standing together against terrorism.

Putin said about necessary close working contacts between defense authorities of Russian Federation and the US for fighting the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group (outlawed in Russia).

Both countries have carried out military campaigns in Syria.

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In an interview to Euronews on Sunday, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is the only legitimate force in the country and his ousting would result in "chaos".

The Kremlin press service reported the phone discussion also included moves towards a ceasefire and ways to get humanitarian assistance to the hundreds of thousands of Syrian civilians caught in the crossfire.

Putin expressed the hope that Kiev would take practical steps to meet its obligations under the Minsk deal as soon as possible, including constitutional reform, establishing direct dialogue with the two self-proclaimed republics in eastern Ukraine, and amendments to the law on special status of the Donbass region.

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