Obama calls on Russian Federation to stop bombing ‘moderate’ Syrian groups

“In particular, President Obama emphasized the importance now of Russian Federation playing a constructive role by ceasing its air campaign against moderate opposition forces in Syria”, said the White House in a statement.

The U.S. and Europe have dangled the possibility of lifting economic sanctions against Russia if it helps implement a peace accord signed previous year in the Belarusian capital of Minsk, and the White House said Mr. Obama “also urged combined Russian-separatists forces to fulfill their Minsk obligations, especially adhering to the cease-fire” and ensuring that global monitors from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe have access to rebel-held areas. The Syrian regime, supported by Iranian and Hezbollah fighters, is threatening to drive rebels from Aleppo, once the countrys biggest city and an opposition stronghold.

According to the Kremlin, Putin and Obama agreed to intensify cooperation to implement the Munich agreement.

Free Syrian Army fighters fire from a tank during what they said was an offensive against Syrian government forces in the southern city of Deraa last June.

Putin reiterated that a united anti-terrorist coalition was needed in Syria.

Churkin said Russian Federation was working towards a peaceful settlement for Syria, and that attempting to take back control over the whole country would be a futile exercise which would allow the conflict to drag on indefinitely.

After phone talks between Putin and Obama Sunday, the Kremlin said that both gave a “positive valuation” to the meeting on Syria in Munich on February 11-12, Reuters reported.

Reaction from politicians in the West to the Munich deal was sceptical.

Senator’s McCain’s concerns come amid reports that some Turkish soldiers have entered Syria over the weekend.

“Let’s be clear about what this agreement does”. The U.S. lawmaker was responding to a question on how the U.S. could change its Syria policy and reduce the threat from Islamic State militants.

Norbert Roettgen, head of the foreign affairs committee in the German parliament, said Russian Federation was determined to create “facts on the ground”, to bolster its negotiating position.

“Mr Putin is not interested in being our partner”.

On Saturday, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev told the Munich conference there was no evidence that Russia was bombing Syrian civilians.