Russia's Putin torpedoes G8 efforts to push out Assad
- 11 years ago
It was mostly smiles as G8 leaders gathered for their class photo in Northern Ireland.
But it was not all harmony -- Russian President Vladimir Putin derailed efforts to remove Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad from power and just hours after his meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama, he said the Kremlin might sell more arms to Syria.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) BRITISH PRIME MINISTER, DAVID CAMERON, SAYING:
"It's no secret that there were very different views around the G8 table, but we all share a vital interest in bringing this conflict to an end and helping the Syrian people to achieve what they want."
While Putin, was seemingly isolated at the summit, he says he was not alone.
(SOUNDBITE) (Russian) RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN, SAYING:
"It was a discussion. Somebody would agree, somebody would argue about certain issues, but it was never a case that Russia was alone defending its position on resolving the Syrian problem. "
Obama put the focu
But it was not all harmony -- Russian President Vladimir Putin derailed efforts to remove Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad from power and just hours after his meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama, he said the Kremlin might sell more arms to Syria.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) BRITISH PRIME MINISTER, DAVID CAMERON, SAYING:
"It's no secret that there were very different views around the G8 table, but we all share a vital interest in bringing this conflict to an end and helping the Syrian people to achieve what they want."
While Putin, was seemingly isolated at the summit, he says he was not alone.
(SOUNDBITE) (Russian) RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN, SAYING:
"It was a discussion. Somebody would agree, somebody would argue about certain issues, but it was never a case that Russia was alone defending its position on resolving the Syrian problem. "
Obama put the focu