Thousands flee Syrian capital to escape brutal conflict
As thousands flee the Syrian capital of Damascus, David Cameron has urged Russia's President Putin to do more to stop the brutal conflict.
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Vladimir Putin flies with rare cranes over Russia
Vladimir Putin has been at it again. The Russian President's latest stunt involves his own hang glider, goggles and a white suit.
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David Cameron and Vladimir Putin discuss Syria
David Cameron spoke with Vladimir Putin today to talk about international efforts to find a political solution in Syria.
– A Downing Street spokesmanThey agreed that the US, Russia and UK clearly share the same aim: to find are solution to the conflict that ends the killing and prevents violent extremism taking hold, with a transitional government with full executive powers, established with the consent of both sides, that preserves the integrity of the Syrian state and its institutions.
The PM made clear his support for the US-Russia initiative to hold a peace conference as soon as possible and said that the UK was willing to do all it could to help.
David Cameron to urge a peace conference on Syria
The Prime Minister will meet with Barack Obama today to discuss trade liberalisation, development and Syria during his three-day visit to America.
The two leaders will be joined in the Oval Office by US secretary of state John Kerry, Mr Cameron's national security adviser Kim Darroch, and opposite number Tom Donilon.
David Cameron will urge a peace conference on Syria by the end of the month, believing that efforts to end the 27 month conflict have gained some momentum after his trip to Sochi for talks with President Vladimir Putin last week, and Mr Kerry's visit to Moscow.
One of the main obstacles to easing the situation has been Russian support for Bashar Assad's regime.
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May summit on Syria is 'impossible' says Russian official
A Russian official has said it is "impossible" to organise an international conference by the end of this month which eventually aims to bring together the Syrian government and opposition for negotiations.
Washington and Moscow announced joint plans earlier this week for such a summit, which would work towards ending the country's bloody civil war.
The Russian official, who was at yesterday's talks between President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister David Cameron, said: "By the end of May is impossible".
The anonymous official said disagreements remained about who could take place in the peace process.
Thousands flee Syrian capital to escape brutal conflict
As thousands flee the Syrian capital of Damascus, David Cameron has urged Russia's President Putin to do more to stop the brutal conflict.
Read the full storyAngry residents flee Damascus suburb battered by war
Intense fighting is forcing increasing numbers of families to flee suburbs of the Syrian capital Damascus.
The Yarmouk district of the city was once home to three quarters of a million people. Now, perhaps 10,000 remain.
ITV News International Editor Bill Neely reports:
Cameron and Putin tour Winter Olympic stadium
The Prime Minister was given a brief tour of the stadium in Sochi where the Winter Olympics are to be held in 2014 by Russia's President Vladimir Putin.
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'History of Syria is written in blood of their people'
David Cameron has made a statement after concluding talks with Vladimir Putin in Sochi, Russia.
The prime minister said: "We have had very substantive, very purposeful, very useful talks today.
"We discussed the appalling and deteriorating situation in Syria. Millions of lives lost, millions more fleeing their homes.
"The history of Syria is being written in the blood of their people. It's no secret that we've had differing views on how to handle the situation.
"But we share fundamental aims to end the conflict, to stop Syria fragmenting, to let the Syrian people choose who governs them, and to prevent the growth of violent extremism."
David Cameron meets Vladimir Putin for talks
David Cameron is currently meeting with Russian president Vladimir Putin, discussing the need for diplomatic progress to end the conflict in Syria.
Read more: Carl Dinnen on the differences between Cameron and Putin on Syria
David Cameron meets Vladimir Putin to discuss Syria
by Carl Dinnen - Political CorrespondentDavid Cameron meets the Russian President in the sub tropical Black Sea resort of Sochi today.
Amidst the palm trees you’d never believe this place is hosting the Winter Olympics next year. There will be some talk about the G8 meeting in Fermanagh but the real business is Syria and on that they are far apart.
This week the UK circulated a document suggesting options to lift the EU arms embargo in order to supply weapons to the Syrian rebels.
At the same time Russia is arming the Assad regime and there’s even talk of selling them sophisticated anti aircraft missiles. Mr Cameron and President Putin seem to be fast heading in opposite directions on Syria.
There may be a glimmer of hope however in the prospect of a possible peace conference agreed between the US and Russia in the last few days. But even here there is division on whether the end of the Assad regime can be a precondition to talks.
So the Prime Minister has his work cut out in sunny Sochi to come away with anything that looks like a meeting of minds.
Government in favour of easing EU arms embargo
The UK Government's arguments in favour of easing the EU arms embargo when the sanctions expire at the end of the month have been leaked in a document.
The British discussion paper sets out two options:
- Lift the arms embargo against the Syrian National Coalition completely
Or
- Remove the words "non-lethal" from a list of exemptions, clearing the way for weapons to be sent to the country
– The Prime Minister's spokesmanThe rationale behind exploring all the options, which is what we have long been saying with regard to the arms embargo, is the fact that we need to continue to, as part of pushing for a political solution, increase the pressure on the Assad regime. That's why we think that is the right thing to do.
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