On the opening day of the G-20 summit in St. Petersburg, President Putin says in an interview that he does not rule out supporting the U.S. in military strikes on Syria, in response to the government's alleged use of chemical weapons on its citizens.
Putin demands 'convincing' proof of Syria chemical attackhttp://www.google.com/...MOSCOW — President Vladimir Putin Wednesday suggested Russia could approve military strikes against the Syrian regime if the West presented watertight evidence of chemical weapons crimes but warned the use of force without UN approval would be an "aggression".
In an interview with state-run Channel One television ahead of the G20 summit in Saint Petersburg this week, Putin sought to adopt a more conciliatory position on the Syria crisis which had widened the rift between Russia and the West.
Yet he still appeared unconvinced by US assertions that the Syrian regime was behind a chemical attack outside Damascus on August 21 that left hundreds dead and said the West had to present "convincing" evidence to the UN Security Council.
Asked whether Russia would agree with US-led military strikes if it was proven that the Syrian regime had carried out the chemical attack, Putin replied: "I do not exclude that."