Putin, Obama discuss Syria, Ukraine - presidential aide

ANTALYA, November 15. /TASS/. Presidents Vladimir Putin of Russia and Barack Obama of the United States, who had an informal meeting of the sidelines of the Group of Twenty summit in Turkey’s Antalya, discussed the situation in Syria and Ukraine, Russian president’s aide Yuri Ushakov said on Sunday. "There was an opportunity to speak in detail and the conversation centered round two topics - first about Syria, and then about Ukraine," Ushakov told journalists, adding that the bulk of attention had been focused on Syria. When asked whether the two leaders had managed to bring their positions on Syria closer, Ushakov said, "As for strategic goals concerning the fight against the Islamic State, they are very close in general, but there still are differences on tactics." He said Vladimir Putin and Barack Obama had exchanged views on the "rather critical situation" after the terror attacks in Paris and other manifestations of terrorism. The White House press service said the presidents agreed that the Vienna consultations on Syria had yielded positive results. Read more