Syrian party by Obama and Putin

Just as most experts predicted, the first meeting of Russian and American presidents on the eve of the Los Cabos G20 Summit turned out to be quite tense after Vladimir Putin won the presidential elections for the third time. This was proven by the fact that the two-hour-long conversation was carried out behind closed doors. And also, during the press conference, both leaders were constrained, barely looked each other in the eye, and did not smile.

Indeed, the matters discussed by the presidents were complicated and delicate, including the situation in Syria, Iran’s nuclear program, anti-missile defense system in Europe, and replacement of the Jackson-Vanik Amendment with Magnitsky Act. Moreover, mass media were wondering if it would be easier for Obama to cope with Putin, since the latter is weakened by protests within his own country, or it would be the other way around, and the Russian leader would attempt to restore his tarnished reputation by means of strengthening relations with other countries.

It is known that the two countries have different views on settling the Syrian crisis. The US submitted a resolution project criticizing Syria to the United Nations. It was already blocked twice by Russia and China. Besides, they state that applying external pressure in order to remove the government is unacceptable.

During the press conference Obama noted that there still are some disagreements in the relations between the United States and Russia. However, according to him, Putin and he can find constructive ways of handling any mutual misunderstandings. He said that Putin pledged to work with “international actors, including the UN, Kofi Annan, and other interested parties” in trying to find a resolution to Syrian crisis. On his part, Putin said that Russia and the United States have been able to find “many commonalities” pertaining to the situation in Syria.

“In order to stop the bloodshed in Syria, we call for an immediate cessation of all violence. We are united in the belief that the Syrian people should have the opportunity to independently and democratically choose their own future,” says the six-page joint statement made by both leaders.

At the same time, neither Obama nor Putin mentioned the name of current Syrian President Bashar al-Assad or the need of his resignation. Unlike before, this time Obama called to support the “political process” that would put an end to violence in Syria, though he never said Assad should step down for that to happen.

The reporters paid attention to the message that two Russian navy ships are preparing to sail to Syria to protect Russian citizens and gather equipment from the Russian base in Tartus if needed. Analytics think that if this information is validated, it would affirm that Russia is taking necessary steps in case Syrian regime collapses.

The presidents of United States and Russia also asked Iran to keep to its international commitments on the nuclear program and appealed to “minimize civilian use of enriched uranium.” It is clear that the anti-missile defense system issue was not left out. Obama and Putin stated they are going to work on settling this disagreement.

It is not yet clear if Putin raised the Magnitsky Act matter, and if he did, it is not clear what reply he got from Obama. It is known that the American president does not support this initiative. Reviewers think that it would be impossible for Obama to veto such a significant human rights law if it were approved by the Congress.

But if Mitt Romney, who recently called Russia the main geopolitical foe, is elected, the question about veto is not likely to rise at all. By the way, recently the Republican candidate for presidency commented upon the meeting of Obama and Putin. He said that “Obama’s reset policy failed completely.” “The president did not demonstrate our strength and firmness to the world. We need to let Russia clearly know that its behavior in Syria is a serious threat to America’s national interests and to all the free nations in the world,” Romney emphasized.

The White House is not likely to be as harsh. As American observers say, the last thing Obama needs on the eve of the elections is a public conflict with Russia. On the other hand, online portal Politico notes that “the slightest sign of Obama’s policy not being firm enough would entail a political risk.”