Putin warns US, France against Syria action

EUObserver reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin warned in an interview on the 3 September 2013 against Western strikes on Syria on the eve of the G20 summit in St Petersburg on the 5 September 2013.

RIA Novosti emphasised comments in the same interview that Russia did not rule out agreeing to a military operation in Syria, provided Damascus' responsibility for using chemical weapons was proven - but only with United Nations approval.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Syrian refugees reach 2 million mark http://www.europeansources.info/record/syrian-refugees-reach-2-million-mark/

ESO: Background information: French PM says no vote in parliament on Syria http://www.europeansources.info/record/french-pm-says-no-vote-in-parliament-on-syria/

RIA Novosti, 04.09.13: Russia Does Not Rule Out Backing Military Action in Syria – Putin http://en.ria.ru/russia/20130904/183157113/Russia-Does-Not-Rule-Out-Backing-Military-Action-in-Syria--Putin.html

RIA Novosti: Tag: Protests in Syria http://en.ria.ru/trend/protests_syria_2011/

BBC News, 04.09.13: Russia's President Putin warns US over Syria action http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-23955655

EUObserver, 05.09.13: France on Syria: We are not being led by US http://euobserver.com/foreign/121326

Blog: LSE EuroppBlog, 06.09.13: German ‘tit for tat’ diplomacy could help alter Russia’s position on Syria http://bit.ly/18xeycX

EUObserver, 05.09.13: Top EU official urges respect for 'UN process' on Syria http://euobserver.com/foreign/121330

Lithuania: EU Presidency: News, 07.09.13: Statement from HR Ashton reflecting the agreed position of the European Union – all 28 member states http://www.eu2013.lt/en/news/statements/statement-from-hr-ashton-reflecting-the-agreed-position-of-the-european-unionall-28-member-states

EU: EEAS: Press Relations, 07.09.13: Remarks by EU High Representative Catherine Ashton, following the informal meeting of EU Foreign Ministers, Vilnius, 7 September 2013 http://eeas.europa.eu/statements/docs/2013/130907_01_en.pdf

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