Putin briefs Merkel, Hollande on steps to implement Syrian ceasefire

Russian President Vladimir Putin has had a telephone conversation with German Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande on steps towards implementing the Russian-Turkish-Iranian accords on ceasefire in Syria, TASS reports.

According to a report by the Kremlin press service, Putin also told both leaders about "preparations for a conference between the Syrian government and the opposition in Astana on January 23."