Russian President Vladimir Putin affirmed on Monday that he agreed with US counterpart Barack Obama on a joint statement in the framework of International Syria Support Group to stop the military operations in the country. “We reached the agreement after long discussions between the Russian-US sides and through talks between foreign ministers of the two states as agreement has been made to stop the military acts between the Syrian armed forces and the armed organizations of the Syrian opposition,” President Putin said in a statement delivered via the Russian TV. He added the agreement doesn’t include ISIS and Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist organizations. Earlier, US Department of State announced a Russian-US agreement on a statement that includes “plans to stop the military operations in Syria which exclude the Islamic State (ISIS) and Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist organizations.” Russia Today quoted the statement as affirming that those plans “may become effect as of next Saturday.” “Sides of conflict may announce their agreement to stop military operations which could come into effect at the midnight of Friday/Saturday of February 27th,” according to the joint statement issued by US Department of State. Obama welcomes For its part, the White House announced US President Barack Obama’s welcome of the agreement reached with Russia on the cessation of military operations, indicating the phone call Obama made with his Russian counterpart was on this issue. The White House, said in a statement, that Obama stressed the need for all sides to respect the agreement and concentrate on combating ISIS terrorist organization. Ban Ki-moon.. a signal of hope to the Syrian people Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomed the agreement of the cessation of military operations, considering it as “a signal of hope to the Syrian people.” Egypt Welcomes Egypt welcomed the Russian-US agreement on a ceasefire plan in Syria set to take effect next Saturday. Egyptian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ahmed Abu Zaid described the Russian-US joint statement as important and necessary step that serves the interest of the Syrian people and provides an appropriate environment to the UN-led political process in order to reach a full agreement and politically settle the crisis in Syria.