Macron tells Putin Syria ceasefire should be extended

Paris: French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday told his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin that France wanted to see an extension of a ceasefire by Turkey in northeast Syria, the Elysee Palace said in a statement.
“The president underscored the importance of prolonging the current ceasefire, and of ending the crisis with diplomatic means,” the presidency said after a phone call between the two leaders.
Turkey has agreed to halt its incursion against Kurdish forces in Syria until 10:00 pm (1900 GMT) on Tuesday if they withdraw from a 120-kilometre (75-mile) “safe zone” near the Turkish border.
Turkey has warned it will resume its attacks against any Kurdish forces left in the so-called “safe zone” after Tuesday night’s deadline.
The call by Macron and Putin came ahead of a visit to the Russian resort city of Sochi on Tuesday by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for talks with Putin.
Russia is Turkey’s strongest backer, and will be key to Ankara’s plans to extend the safe zone, which have been thwarted for now by the arrival of Syrian government troops.