Kerry urges Putin to cooperate on Islamic State

US Secretary of State John Kerry travelled to Moscow on Wednesday for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding the ongoing conflict in Syria, urging him to boost military and intelligence cooperation against Islamic State.

The world leaders met for three hours in the Kremlin, with the US State department saying that Kerry expressed concern about continuing violations of ceasfires by the Moscow-backed Syrian government.

Kerry "emphasized that absent concrete, near-term steps, diplomatic efforts could not continue indefinitely," a statement said, and that further talks between representatives of the 2 governements would continue on Friday.

The Washington Post leaked a document this week which revealed plans by the US to call for intelligence sharing regarding Nusra Front, an al Qaeda branch in Syria.

The United States and Russia line up on opposite sides in the Syrian conflict, but recent signs have shown a willingness on the American side to improve coordination with the Russians.

Putin said at the beginning of his meeting with Kerry that his last conversation with Barack Obama had convinced him that both sides were keen to find a solution in Syria.

"I hope after today's consultations you'll be able to advise him of the progress made and possible headway for us to make," he told Kerry.

The Secretary of State has faced fierce criticism following his attempts to cooperate with the Russians, as US defence and intelligence officials believe the sides to have completely opposite objectives.

The trip is Kerry's second to Moscow this year, as tensions remain high over various diplomatic issues in the Middle East and Europe.