An aerial view of explosions at at an IS depot after an
airstrike by Russia. EPA/Russia Defence Ministry
Putin, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince discuss Syria
SOCHI, Russia, October 11, 2015
Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan on Sunday to discuss security in the Middle East and the conflict in Syria.
The meeting between the two is the highest-level contact between the Kremlin and a Gulf Arab official since Russia began a campaign of air strikes to support Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad.
"I welcome the opportunity to talk about ... the situation in the region, particularly in light of recent terrorist acts in Turkey," Putin told Prince Mohammed on the sidelines of the Russian Grand Prix in the Black Sea resort of Sochi.
Russia says its actions in Syria are targeted at the radical Islamist group but critics say it has been striking opposition rebels backed by the US and Gulf states.
Meanwhile, a report quoted Putin as saying Russia does not want to get involved in an inter-religious war in Syria.
Putin said Russia does not see a difference between Sunni and Shi'ite groups, Interfax reported, citing a televised interview being aired in Russia's Far East. - Reuters