US President Barack Obama changed tack on Syria yesterday, calling Russia a “constructive partner” in peace talks.

Speaking on the fringes of the Asia-Pacific Economic
Co-operation (Apec) summit in the Philippines, Mr Obama signalled that the two powers might even co-operate in the war against Islamic State (Isis).

“If we get a better understanding with Russia about the process for bringing an end to the Syrian civil war,” he said, “that obviously opens up more opportunities for co-ordination.”