In one picture – taken at G-20 summit in Hangzhou – Obama is seen craning his neck to look at Erdogan who seems to be intently listening to Putin.
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Obama also said the two countries “haven’t yet closed the gaps” that remain to reach a meaningful ceasefire deal for Syria but said that they had a productive conversation.
Negotiators failed to work through differences, and the talks have ended for now.
“The opposition tells us they want to reach a deal with the Russians if in fact it would stop some of the worst forms of violence against the Syrian people”, a second senior administration official said. When asked about some of Putin’s troubling actions, Trump didn’t criticize the Russian president, suggesting instead that he could “start naming some of the things that President Obama does at the same time”.
Democrat Hillary Clinton called Donald Trump’s praise of Russian President Vladimir Putin and criticism of USA military leaders at a forum Wednesday night an “astonishing” and frightening display by a US presidential candidate and said every Republican should be asked if they agree with their nominee.
Obama has expressed skepticism that Russian Federation would hold to its agreement.
Peskov also said that “in the interests of implementing the Minsk agreements, the Russian president will be ready for such a contact”.
When Cameron resigned as prime minister and May became prime minister in July, Putin said he was ready for “constructive dialog” with the new British leader.
Meeting face-to-face for the first time since the attempted putsch, Obama went out of his way to praise the Turkish leader.
“We can only express regret that the meeting of the two presidents… was framed by such additional expansions of the sanctions”, the Kremlin spokesman added.
During a ceremonial photo with other leaders Sunday, Putin and Turkey’s president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, huddled with each other, speaking intently.
Obama’s meeting with Putin came as the Russian Federation leader is playing a prominent role in the presidential campaign at home.
On Sunday, cautious optimism prevailed that a deal could be struck between Washington and Moscow, long at odds over policy in Syria.
The US hopes to align with Russian Federation to identify terrorist targets, including ISIS and the Nusra Front, a group formerly tied to al-Qaeda. The official would not be named discussing the private discussion, which also covered USA concerns over cybersecurity and the situation in Ukraine.
Obama says he hasn’t paid close attention to the matter. “The Assad regime in particular of course has Russian support”, Mr Turnbull said.
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Although the USA shares some mutual interest with the Russians in bombing groups like Nusra Front, the Pentagon does not see the Russians as critical to that effort, nor is it eager to give Russia sensitive U.S. intelligence about where United States aircraft are operating in Syria.
