Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani on Thursday discussed the Islamic republic’s nuclear negotiations with world powers and Syria peace talks, the Kremlin said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani on Thursday discussed the Islamic republic's nuclear negotiations with world powers and Syria peace talks, the Kremlin said.

The leaders discussed "current international issues, including the situation in Syria in the context of preparations for Geneva II conference, and the implementation of agreements on the Iranian nuclear program," the Kremlin said in a statement that did not specify who initiated the telephone call.

Russia backs Iran's inclusion in the Syria peace negotiations, which are due to resume for the first time in more than a year in Switzerland on January 22.

UN chief Ban Ki-moon did not include Iran in his invitations to 30 countries to the gathering.

But German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said he backed Iran's involvement in the conference.

Iran has already rejected a US suggestion that it play a "sideline" role at the negotiations.

The Iran nuclear talks that resume on Thursday in Geneva aim to put into action an interim nuclear deal clinched in November.
Russia has said wants the negotiations to proceed at a faster rate.