Not useless to listen to American partners- Putin
September 3, 2013, 8:50 am

President Putin (centre) said dialogue between the lawmakers would be also a significant element for the development of Moscow-Washington ties [PPIO]

“Indeed, in order to better understand each other, there is no other way but a direct and open dialogue with arguments and with the presentation of positions,” President Putin said on Monday.

The announcement was made after a meeting between the Head of the Russian Parliament’s Upper House, Valentina Matviyenko and the Head of the Lower House, Sergei Naryshkin.

Putin admitted there is need to “listen to our American partners”, even as the two sides have been bitterly divided over the approach to resolving the Syrian crisis.

“Sure, our US colleagues could better understand and feel what the Russian position is. It would not be useless to listen to our American partners as well,” said the president.

Putin added that a dialogue between the lawmakers would be also a significant element for the development of Moscow-Washington ties.

US President Barack Obama has said he will turn to Congress in a bid to seek support – and legal domestic backing – to launch a “limited” military response against the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

The US leader sent Congress a draft resolution that authorises a US military strike against Syria.

“We expect the US Congress will not support the offer to stage a provocation against Syria,” Matviyenko said.

Matviyenko also asked Putin to invite a delegation of the US Congress to Russia.

The US Congress reconvenes on September 9 after a summer recess.

UK ally British Prime Minister David Cameron failed to gain parliamentary backing for a military response.

The UK government’s calling for “a strong humanitarian response from international society” including military action, was defeated by 272 votes to 285.

China has expressed serious reservations about a possible US military strike on Syria.

“China is firmly opposed to the use of chemical weapons by any party in Syria and expresses serious concern about preparations by relevant countries for unilateral military action,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei said on Monday, adding that “a political solution is the only practical way to solve the issue”.

The BRICS Post With inputs from Agencies