Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday in Berlin that his country is ready to extend the humanitarian pause in the Syrian city of Aleppo as long as possible, the Interfax news agency reported.

"We have informed the other sides of our intention to extend the pause in airstrikes in Syria for as long as possible...We are ready to do it until we encounter an intensification of activities of armed groups entrenched in Aleppo," Putin was quoted by Interfax as saying after a meeting in the German capital city with leaders of Germany and France on the Syrian conflict.

An 11-hour humanitarian pause has come into force in the besieged city of Aleppo from 8:00 am (0500 GMT) on Thursday, with a number of armed rebels as well as wounded, sick and aged people exiting eastern Aleppo through the passages identified by the Syrian army and the Russian side.

Russia announced an eight-hour humanitarian pause in strikes against rebel-controlled areas in Aleppo on Monday, and decided on Wednesday to extend it for three hours at the request of international organizations. Endi