US President Barack Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin. AP FILE PHOTOS
WASHINGTON, United States鈥擯resident Barack Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin joined Wednesday in calling for a tough global response to North Korea鈥檚 recent nuclear test, even as they remained at odds over Ukraine and Syrian President Bashar Assad.
In a wide-ranging phone call, Obama and Putin appeared to speak past one another about the situation in eastern Ukraine, according to each country鈥檚 description of the call. The White House said Obama had called for Russia to fulfill its obligations under a cease-fire deal; the Kremlin said Putin has emphasized the need for Ukraine to meet its commitments under that same deal.
READ: North Korea says nuclear test shows it could 鈥榳ipe out鈥� US
Both leaders voiced support for U.N. talks to resolve the civil war in Syria, in which Assad鈥檚 future remains a key sticking point. The U.S. has been pressing Russia to end its support for Assad and stop bombing the rebel groups fighting Assad鈥檚 regime. The Kremlin said both leaders had also called for a reduction in tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran, which have threatened to complicate diplomatic efforts on Syria.
Obama and Putin also broached the topic of increased military contacts between the U.S. and Russia to bolster the fight against the Islamic State group and other extremists, the Kremlin said. Although Russia says it鈥檚 targeting IS fighters with airstrikes in Syria, the U.S. has accused Russia鈥檚 air campaign there of primarily going after U.S.-backed rebels that are fighting Assad.
READ: US House advances on tighter sanctions vs North Korea
On North Korea鈥檚 claim to have tested a hydrogen bomb, at least, the leaders seemed in agreement. The Kremlin said they鈥檇 agreed that if proven true, the claim would require 鈥渁 tough international reaction,鈥� while the White House said they鈥檙e discussed the need for 鈥渁 strong and united international response.鈥� The U.S. has cast doubt on the North鈥檚 claim that its test involved a hydrogen bomb but has said whatever was tested constituted a provocative act.
Despite steep disagreements on Ukraine, Syria and other issues, Obama and Putin have continued to engage on areas where their views at least partially overlap. Washington has praised Moscow as of late for its role in facilitating diplomatic efforts toward a political transition in Syria. The two leaders last met in person in November on the sidelines of a summit.
The Kremlin described Wednesday鈥檚 conversation as 鈥渇rank and business-like.鈥�