Putin, Nazarbayev discuss preparations for Astana talks on Syria

Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed preparations for Syria talks in Astana with his Kazakh counterpart Nursultan Nazarbayev by phone on Thursday, the Kremlin said in a statement.

Turkey and Russia are guarantors of a peace plan that involves a ceasefire as well as a return to the political process between the warring sides after nearly six years of fighting.

It also calls a meeting between the parties in Astana, Kazakhstan -- which recently became a UNSC member -- ahead of a revival of the Geneva talks on Feb. 8.