Putin, Macron, Merkel agree to speed up 'information exchange' over Syria

The leaders of Russia, France and Germany agreed Sunday to speed up their "exchange of information" over Syria during phone talks on a UN ceasefire in the war-torn country, the Kremlin said.

In a statement it said that Russian President Vladimir Putin, French counterpart Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel stressed "the importance of continuing common efforts in the interests of the full implementation of the resolution as soon as possible."

The Kremlin said the sides "had expressed satisfaction" that the UN Security Council had managed to agree on a resolution due to "common constructive work" on Saturday.

Putin informed his French and German counterparts of steps Russia is taking to evacuate civilians and deliver humanitarian aid to those in need, the statement said.

"Special attention has been paid to the fact that a ceasefire does not cover operations against terrorist groups," the Kremlin added.

The leaders held talks after the UN Security Council on Saturday unanimously demanded a 30-day truce in Syria.

More than 500 civilians are thought to have died in a week of heavy bombardment by Syria's regime of the rebel enclave of Eastern Ghouta, just outside Damascus.

After the council vote, which had support from Moscow, Syrian warplanes backed by Russian air power launched new raids on Eastern Ghouta, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

The Britain-based monitor said at least 41 civilians were killed in Saturday's strikes, including eight children. Russia has denied taking part in the assault.

France and Germany have pushed for Russian support for the Syria ceasefire, which is mainly to allow aid to reach the besieged area and allow evacuations.