The deputy foreign minister met with the ambassador and said his return was "an important positive step in bilateral relations."

The film has put together a strong cast with Nicole Kidman, Elle Fanning, Kirsten Dunst and Colin Farrell attached to star.

Pankov said the Defence Ministry was currently "rethinking" past decisions on closure of the bases, but declined to go into detail.

Although ivory trade is banned in Vietnam, the country remains a top market for ivory products prized locally for decorative and medicinal purposes.

Mevlut Cavusoglu said their remaining after the offensive would only compound the region's problems in the long term.

"I don't know if there's a role for me... There's a limit to what I want to say about my own position at this moment," Blair said.

"Russia has a lot of influence on Assad. We must end these atrocious crimes," Angela Merkel told party members in Magdeburg.

"There must be a threat, there must be a price, otherwise we will be in negotiations that will not end well," Hollande said.

Germany also spoke out this week, reiterating a long-held EU position that settlements are illegal under international law.