Will do whatever necessary to ensure Damascus ceasefire: Putin

Russia will do "whatever is necessary" to ensure that Damascus respects a Syrian ceasefire agreement that Moscow and Washington say will take effect on February 27, President Vladimir Putin said today.

"We will do whatever is necessary with Damascus, with the legitimate Syrian authorities," Putin said during a televised address.

"We are counting on the United States to do the same with its allies and the groups that it supports.