PARIS, April 6 (Xinhua) -- French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday had a phone talk with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin and called on Moscow to exercise more pressure on Syria to end conflict and pave the way for a political transition in the Arab-torn country.

"The president underlined the need to put an end to the military escalation of recent months so as to protect civilian populations... He urged Russia to fully exercise its influence over the Syrian regime in this regard," Macron's office said in a statement.

The statement added the two leaders discussed, over the phone conversation, the necessity to prevent resurgence of Islamic State in the region.

Macron also hoped that regular dialogue between Paris and Moscow would allow more concrete moves to forge "a concerted solution on Syria," according to the Elysee.