Putin, Obama Discuss Syria by Telephone as Ban Says it's Heading towards 'Dissolution'

Russian leader Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Barack Obama discussed Syria and other urgent issues by telephone Friday, the Kremlin said, as U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon warned against a “dissolution” of the country.

"Within the context of the Syria crisis, Mr. Putin noted the need to end military activities as soon as possible," the Kremlin statement said, noting that the call was initiated by Washington.

Russia has drawn the West's anger by vetoing three U.N. Security Council resolutions censuring Syrian President Bashar Assad for a nearly two-year conflict that has claimed more than 70,000 lives.

Relations between Moscow and Washington in particular have been harmed by the Obama administration's criticism of the deteriorating human rights record under Putin.

Putin's office said the two leaders agreed to work together from now on.

The Kremlin said "the leaders are united in their desire to avoid any steps that could negatively reflect on bilateral relations."

It added that Putin once again extended an invitation for Obama to pay an official visit to Russia.

Moscow had hoped such talks would be held last year and is now holding out the idea of Obama visiting before world leaders gather in September in Saint Petersburg for the Group of Eight rich nations summit.

Washington has not indicated when Obama intends to visit Russia.

Meanwhile, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon warned Friday that the spiraling conflict in Syria was breaking the country apart.

"The military solution in Syria is leading to the dissolution of Syria," the U.N. chief said in Geneva, asking: "What atrocity must occur to finally stir the world to act?"

With the brutal, sectarian-tinged conflict between the regime of Syria's Assad and rebels poised to enter its third year, Ban called for a renewed drive to halt the strife.

Syria has been embroiled in conflict since Assad's regime launched a brutal crackdown on protests that erupted in March 2011.

The United Nations says about 70,000 people have been killed, and with at least 5,000 Syrians a day fleeing this conflict-ravaged homeland, the total number of refugees is expected to top 1.1 million soon.

"For two years now, we have seen suppression of people's aspiration for change, the flight of ever-greater numbers of people from their homes, and the daily escalation of killing, war crimes and crimes against humanity," Ban said.

"The United Nations and our humanitarian partners are doing all we can to provide assistance. But in Syria and anywhere else, we must never use humanitarianism to avoid the tougher choices," he insisted.

Ban said it was down to all sides in Syria to come to the negotiating table, but urged the international community not to lose focus on the conflict there.

"We cannot change the channel and wish it away," he said.

"Those with the political power to change things must answer to every mother and every child in Syria. Inaction in the councils of peace looks like indifference in the cauldron of war," he added.

The U.N. Security Council's members have been at loggerheads over how to end Syria's civil war, with Assad's longstanding ally Russia, plus China, pitted against the United States, France and Britain, who are seeking a tough stance.

"The Security Council must no longer stand as a silent witness to the slaughter. At long last, it must come together and establish the parameters for the democratic transition that might be the last best hope for Syria," the U.N. chief said.