Obama Says Putin a 'Constructive Partner' in Syria Talks


Obama Says Putin a 'Constructive Partner' in Syria Talks

TEHRAN (Tasnim)- US President Barack Obama on Wednesday praised Russia's role in talks to end the Syria crisis and offered the prospect of better ties if Moscow focused military strikes on the Daesh (ISIL) group.

Obama said Russia had been a "constructive partner in Vienna in trying to create a political transition," referring to international talks in Austria.

But, he said, there were still differences over the fate of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, and Moscow's current military focus on defending him.

"There is obviously a catch, which is Moscow is still interested in keeping Assad in power," Obama said.

"Those differences have not prevented us at looking at how we could set up a cease fire," Obama added.

Putin's government recently blamed the terrorists for downing a Russian aircraft over Egypt in October, killing 224 people on board.

"In their initial military incursion into Syria, they have been more focused on propping up President Assad," Obama claimed, AFP reported.

"If, in fact, he shifts his focus and the focus of his military, to what is the principle threat, which is ISIL, then that is what we want to see," Obama said.

"We are going to wait and see whether Russia does end up paying more attention to ISIL targets. If it does so, that's something we welcome."

Obama was speaking after a meeting with Philippine President Benigno Aquino in Manila.

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