Kremlin says Putin, Obama seek "new initiatives" on Syria

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Vladimir Putin and Barack Obama have told their foreign ministers to keep in close touch and seek "new initiatives" to end Syria's civil war, the Kremlin said after a telephone conversation between the two leaders.

The Kremlin said Putin and Obama also pledged to avoid steps that would harm Russian-U.S. relations, which have been strained by differences over Syria and other issues including Putin's treatment of opponents since he began a new term as president last May.