Putin chides Obama
Russian President critical of West’s attempts to destroy IS
VLADIMIR Putin has called for a global coalition to take on the Islamic State, just as the world took on Hitler, in a dramatic showdown with US President Barack Obama.
The Russian President spoke at the United Nations General Assembly for the first time in a decade, attacking the US-led coalition against IS and making a major play for influence in the Middle East.
After awkwardly clinking champagne flutes at a swank UN lunch, Mr Obama and Mr Putin last night met for a 90minute closed-door talk – with each insisting the other requested the meeting.
Mr Putin described the talks as “constructive, businesslike and frank” when he emerged from the meeting, saying he wouldn’t rule out joining air strikes on the Islamic State.
Earlier, the world leaders admonished each other in almost back-to-back speeches where Mr Putin all but blamed the West for the rise of IS and scoffed at American work in the Middle East.
The pair disagreed over the legitimacy of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad as Mr Putin tried to stake his claim on the battle against terrorism – a fight that has until now been largely led by the US.
Despite attacking each other, both said they were willing to work with anyone to defeat IS.
Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop welcomed Russia’s approach.
“President Putin has said that (his) increase in military resources in Syria (is to defeat IS), but of course the coalition air strikes are designed to do precisely that,” she said.
“Russia is working to that same end and I hope that President Putin and President Obama’s discussion will achieve a high level of co-operation in that regard.”
Mr Putin called for “a genuinely broad alliance against terrorism, just like the one against Hitler”.
“Similar to the anti-Hitler coalition, it could unite a broad range of forces that are willing to resolutely resist those who just like the Nazis sow evil and hatred of human kind,” he said.
The Russian President insisted Russia’s interest in having greater involvement in the fight against terror shouldn’t be interpreted as “growing ambitions”.
Mr Obama, speaking about an hour before Mr Putin, directly attacked Russia’s support for Mr Assad, describing the leader as a “tyrant” and criticising “strong states that seek to impose their will on weaker ones”.