Putin could end Syrian war with one phonecall, says Philip Hammond

Vladimir Putin could end Syria’s civil war with one phonecall, Britain’s foreign secretary has said.

Calling on the Russians to end airstrikes on moderate Syrian opposition fighters,Philip Hammond said: “There is one man on this planet who can end the civil war in Syria by making a phonecall and that’s Mr Putin.”

He said the political situation in Syria had not changed in the past year. “Whether or not Assad goes or stays ultimately will depend on whether the Russians are prepared to use their influence to remove him. That was exactly the same a year ago,” he said.

On Saturday Turkey said it had shelled a Kurdish militia in northern Syria and said it, along with Saudi Arabia, would consider sending ground troops in.

The US has urged Turkey to turn its attention to fighting Isis after world powers including the UK, the US and Russia agreed to pause hostilities in Syria on Friday– an agreement that did not have the backing of the Syrian government or include attacks on Isis or al-Nusra Front.