Obama, Putin Meet At Summit Despite Tensions Over Syria

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia – President Obama met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, a White House official confirmed, as the two leaders wrapped up a summit that put a harsh spotlight on the international divide over Obama’s plan to launch military strikes in Syria.

The official did not provide details or timing on the meeting, which took place at a gathering of the Group of 20 economic summits. But Putin, the summit host and an opponent of military intervention in the Syrian civil war, told reporters that the meeting lasted for about 20 minutes. The two men sat down and exchanged views, though they did not find new agreement.

“It was a very friendly conversation,” Putin said, through a translator, at a news conference Friday afternoon. “We stuck to our guns. Everybody remained on his position.”  FULL STORY VIDEO HERE

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In Saint Petersburg, Russian President Vladimir Putin stood and greeted US President Barack Obama at the start of the G20 Summit meeting. The pair managed to muster a few smiles for the camera, even as they remain at odds over possible military intervention in Syria.