Russian President Vladimir Putin and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron agreed to intensify joint efforts to advance the political process in Syria in a phone conversation, the Kremlin said Saturday.

Russia's President Vladimir Putin (L) and France's President Emmanuel Macron ahead of a press conference following a summit of the leaders of Turkey, Russia, Germany, and France to discuss the situation in Syria. (Photos: VCG)

The two leaders believe that these efforts should include the formation of a constitutional committee in Syria, according to the Kremlin.

The phone call at the initiative of the French side took place ahead of a summit between Putin, Macron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday in Turkey's Istanbul on the topic of the Syrian settlement.

Cover image: Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Russia's President Vladimir Putin and France's President Emmanuel Macron (L-R) ahead of a press conference following a summit of the leaders of Turkey, Russia, Germany, and France to discuss the situation in Syria.