Russia and Turkey have agreed that Moscow's plan for "de-escalation zones" in war-torn Syria should bolster the country's frail truce, President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday.

"We both proceed on the basis that -- and this is our common position -- the creation of safe zones should lead to further pacification and cessation of hostilities," Putin said at a news conference alongside his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan following bilateral talks.