Obama recognises crisis with Russia over Syria

American President Barack Obama said on Monday that there are still “differences between his country and Russian regarding Syria,” stressing that a ceasefire would facilitate fighting terrorism including Daesh and Al-Nusra Front, AlKhaleejOnline.com reported.

At the end of the G20 summit in China, Obama met with Russian President Vladimir Putin and spent much time in a “business like” meeting, an American diplomat told media on condition of anonymity.

“Russians walked back on some of the areas we thought we were agreed on, so we are going back to capitals to consult,” the diplomat said.

Obama also said that the US and Russia have “deep differences” regarding the sides they support in Syrian and the different approach to bring peace to the country.

However, Obama said that the Russian-American talks are “key” for efforts to reduce violence in the war-torn Arab country.

“Our conversations with the Russians are key because if it were not for the Russians, then Assad and the regime would not be able to sustain its offensive,” he said.

“But it is worth trying,” Obama went on. “To the extent that there are children and women and innocent civilians who can get food and medical supplies and get some relief from the constant terror of bombings, that’s worth the effort.”

American Secretary of State John Kerry and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov met on Sunday and Monday on the sidelines of the G20 summit. They didn’t reach any agreements.