France hoped it could find a common approach with Russia to solve the Syria crisis, visiting French President Francois Hollande said Thursday.

France and Russia had been divided over the future of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, and his talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin here could hopefully bridge those differences, Hollande told Echo of Moscow radio station.

"Syrian opposition is expanding and becoming more legitimate... It cannot foresee dialogue with Assad. We'll discuss this with Putin and hopefully we'll start a dialogue about power transition (in Syria)," Hollande said.

He said Putin had created circumstances in which the Syrian opposition could make contact with the authorities.

Despite their divergence, Hollande said he hoped France and Russia could work together for a political settlement of the crisis, which could be found within weeks.

"We agree that no forceful solution in Syria is possible, that the aggravation of the situation there only pushes that country toward chaos. We as great powers and UNSC (United Nations Security Council) members are responsible for not leaving the Syrian people in trouble. We must, in the end, start a political dialogue (in Syria)," he said.

Hollande and Putin will meet later Thursday. The two sides plan to discuss bilateral relations as well as international affairs.