Obama calls Putin for 'intense' talks on Syria, Ukraine

YEREVAN, APRIL 19, ARMENPRESS.President Obamacalled Russian PresidentVladimir Putinon April 18 for what the White House said wasan "intense" conversation about the breakdown of the cease-fire inSyria, “Armenpress” reports citing USATODAY.

White House Press SecretaryJosh Earnestsaid the purpose of the call was to "make the case to President Putin that he should use his influence with theAssad regimeto live up to the commitments that they've made in the context of the cessation of hostilities."

The call came as fighting escalated along Syria's border with Turkey, with Syrian government forces and the U.S.-backed oppositionrenewing their fighting after a seven-week cease fire.

In its account of the presidential phone call, theKremlinnews service said the two leaders agreed on the importance of upholding the cease-fire and giving the peace talks a chance. But Putin also suggested to Obama that the U.S.-supported moderate opposition has close ties to terrorist groups in Syria.

The Russians also made a point of noting that the phone call was made at Obama's initiative.

Obama and Putin also discussed Ukraine. The White House said Obama "urged PresidentPutin to take steps to end the significant uptick in fighting in eastern Ukraine." But the Kremlin said it's up to the newUkrainian governmentto live up to its end of the 2015Minskagreements.

One topic that did not come up: Therecent incidents of Russian planes "buzzing" U.S. ships in theBaltic Sea.

"These kinds of incidents, while provocative and concerning, are not particularly unusual," Earnest said. He said the United States had protested the flight tactics through the military attaché at the U.S. embassy in Moscow.