UN General AssemblyObama and Putin can not overcome differences

70th session of the UN General AssemblyVideo

Putin-Obama meeting Hardly approach in Syria issue 

(Video: Reuters Photo: Reuters)
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  • US President Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet for two-person conversation. Putin concluded a joint military operation with the United States is not enough.
  • The two are further divided over how to proceed in the Syria crisis.
  • Russian President Vladimir Putin called Syria's Assad in power is an important ally in the fight against the IS-jihadists.
  • Obama called Assad on the other hand as a "tyrant" and accuses him of letting throwing barrel bombs on "innocent children".

    Obama and Putin in the four-eye conversation

    The handshake for the official photo was pinched to feel the aversion clearly: In the margins of the UN General Assembly, US President Obama and Russian President Putin met - it was the first bilateral discussion for more than two years. The meeting lasted 95 minutes, after 35 minutes longer than scheduled.Putin explained afterwards, there had been an "honest conversation".
    The Russian president has a shared commitment in the fight against extremist militia IS in his own words with Obama Syria discussed. "There is plenty to do. There is an opportunity to tackle the problems together," Putin said. He joined a Russian participation in a military operation against the IS under a UN mandate, together with the West is not enough. He described the conversation as "very useful and open."
    For US government sources said the two leaders had agreed to talks on military level, to prevent a conflict of potential missions in Syria. Obama and Putin had agreed to explore ways to resolve the conflict in Syria. However, they were at odds over the future of rulers Bashar al-Assad.
    Barack Obama, Vladimir PutinVideo

    Syria warWhy Obama and Putin need each other

    Their mutual dislike is almost physically perceptible. But the situation in Syria is so dramatic that Obama and Putin might ally anyway.

    Putin criticizes US in speech

    In his speech before the United Nations Putin had earlier called for the broadest possible alliance against the jihadists of the Islamic State. This alliance should include as many countries - similar to the "anti-Hitler coalition" against the Nazis. Putin appealed to the Muslim states this: you'll play a key role in the fight against terrorism, because the IS taunt Islam and its holy sites profane.
    Putin made in New York once again that he sees Syria's President Bashar al-Assad as the only legitimate representative of the country. He called on the world to finally recognize, "that no one really fight except President Assad's forces and (Kurdish) militia the Islamic State and other terrorist organizations in Syria".
    The Russian president also blamed the US-led invasion of Iraq for the current chaos in the Middle East and therefore for the strengthening of the IS. In addition, the NATO intervention in Libya have destabilized the region. Russia stands ready to work with its partners, Putin emphasized in his speech.

    Obama: Assad accuses barrel bombs on innocent children

    Shortly before US President had Barack Obama referred to the Syrian president in his speech to the UN as a "tyrant". He rejects the argument that it was necessary to support Assad, because the Islamic state is even worse. The Syrian president let barrel bombs on "innocent children" throwing. Therefore, it is questionable, to help him in the years of civil war, as proposed by Russia.
    The conflict in Syria started because Assad has responded to peaceful demonstrations with repression. This is responsible for the current situation."The realism tells us that we need a compromise. But it also tells us that it does not go with this dictator," said Obama. The United States is ready to work on a political solution and "to speak with anyone, even with Russia and Iran." They wanted Russia not isolate but "a strong Russia".
    Obama also did not spare criticism clearly: The annexation of the Crimea and the consequent violation of Ukrainian sovereignty can not be accepted. This should not be a precedent, which is why the EU and the US would impose sanctions. That is not the beginning of a new Cold War, Obama said - "even if the state-run media in Russia argue that the sanctions are decided for fear of a resurgent Moscow".
    Bashar al-Assad

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    The still continuing flow of refugees from Syria to Europe has brought the civil war back on the agenda. Both presidents want to stop the advance of the Islamic State and defeat the terrorist militia. Putin insists, however, that his ally - Syria's President Assad - at least transitionally remains in office. He sees in the Syria crisis an opportunity to break the isolation into which it has performed its role in Ukraine conflict (more details in this SZ-analysis). Last also had Chancellor Merkel argued for a dialogue with Assad.
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    In the margins of the UN General Assembly Barack Obama and Vladimir Putin met for the four-eye conversation. An important step towards military cooperation between Russia and the US against the IS? Your Forum