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Putin: Russia could join air strikes against Islamic State

Barack Obama and Vladimir Putin discussed the possibility of Russian involvement in the military campaign against the so-called Islamic State (IS) during their meeting on Monday.

In a meeting on the sidelines of the event, Barack Obama and Vladimir Putin agreed a political solution to the crisis was necessary, but continue to disagree on the fate of Syria's president Bashar al-Assad.

Obama labeled Assad a "tyrant", but Putin said it would be an "enormous mistake" to refuse to work with the Syrian government.

Secretary-general Ban Ki-moon has called for the situation in Syria to be referred to the International Criminal Court.

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Russia does not rule out joining air strikes against IS

Putin said he had not ruled out air strikes but would not send in Russian ground troops to Syria. Credit: Reuters

Barack Obama and Vladimir Putin discussed the possibility of Russian involvement in the military campaign against the so-called Islamic State (IS) during their meeting on Monday.

Both sides agreed to direct their militaries to hold talks to avoid conflict over potential operations in Syria, according to a US official.

The Agence France-Presse news agency quoted Putin as saying that Russia had not ruled out taking part in air strikes with the US-led coalition against IS, but would not be sending in ground troops.

We are thinking about it. We don't rule anything out. But if we are to act it will only be fully respecting international legal norms.

– President Vladimir Putin

President Obama emphasised that the United States would work with Russia and Iran to find a solution to the bloodshed in Syria, although he differed with President Putin over working with Syria's President Bashar al-Assad.

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Putin: Russia could join air strikes against Islamic State

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