US president Barack Obama and Russian president Vladimir Putin will meet in New York next week at a time of high tension in Europe and the Middle East, but the Kremlin and the White House differed yesterday over the top priority for the talks.
The White House said the main issue would be the conflict in eastern Ukraine, where Russian-backed forces are fighting the Kiev government. The Kremlin, however, said the main focus would be on Syria, where Russia has built up its military forces in recent weeks with combat aircraft, tanks and equipment in support of President Assad.
Putin’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, told reporters: “Of course, the primary topic will be Syria.” Asked whether Ukraine would be discussed, he said: “Well, if time allows.”– (Reuters)