US President Barack Obama has expressed regret to Russian leader Vladimir Putin over the downing of Russia’s Su-24 Fencer by a Turkish fighter last week, Sputnik News Agency quoted Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov as saying Monday.

"Obama has expressed regret over the incident with the Russian plane that was shot down by the Turkish Air Force in Syria," Peskov told reporters.

Russian and US leaders Vladimir Putin and Barack Obama have both affirmed the need for renewed steps toward a political settlement to the Syrian crisis, Peskov said Monday.

“Syria was discussed in nuances. Putin and Obama spoke in favor of moving toward the beginning of a political settlement,” Peskov told reporters.

Putin met Obama on the sidelines of the 21st UN Climate Change Conference underway in the French capital. The two spoke behind closed doors for over 30 minutes.

Sources: MENA