Obama calls Putin for 'intense' talks on Syria

President Obama had “an intense conversation” with President Vladimir Putin of Russia on Monday in which he expressed concern on the eve of his visit to the Middle East and Europe about the fragile Syrian peace talks and increased violence in Ukraine White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said the purpose of the call was to "make the case to President Putin that he should use his influence with the Assad regime to live up to the commitments that they've made in the context of the cessation of hostilities