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White House urges 'constructive engagement' by Russia to fight Islamic State


    WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The White House said on Tuesday that the United States wants to see Russia take on "more constructive engagement" with the international coalition fighting Islamic State militants in Syria, rather than build up its military presence there.

    White House spokesman Josh Earnest said he did not have an update on whether or when President Barack Obama would call Russian President Vladimir Putin about the issue.

    "When our team and most importantly when the president determines that it would advance our interests to have a conversation with President Putin, then he'll pick up the phone and try to set up that call," Earnest told reporters at a briefing.

    (Reporting by Roberta Rampton and Susan Heavey; Editing by Eric Walsh)