Putin, Obama have brief last meeting

The two men met at the start of the summit meeting in Lima, Peru’s capital. They exchanged pleasantries and remained standing as they spoke. Obama later said at a news conference he told Putin the US is deeply concerned about bloodshed and chaos in Syria “sown by constant bombing attacks” by the Syrian and Russian militaries, and that a ceasefire and political transition were needed. “As usual I was candid and courteous but very clear about the strong differences we have on policy,” Obama said. Putin said at a separate news conference he thanked Obama during Sunday’s meeting in Lima “for the years of joint work”. “I told him that we would be happy to see him (Obama) in Russia anytime if he wants, can and has desire,” Putin said. Obama and Putin have had a challenging relationship. The US president said last week he had warned Putin about consequences for cyber attacks attributed to Moscow that were seen as trying to influence the US election. Obama said he also urged President Putin to help implement the Minsk peace agreement by working with France, Germany, Ukraine and the United States to halt the conflict in Donbass region of Ukraine. During his race for the White House, Republican President-elect Donald Trump praised Putin. Putin said on Sunday that Trump had confirmed to him that he was willing to mend ties.

US President Barack Obama, during his last scheduled trip abroad at the APEC summit in Peru, spoke with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, reaffirming the relationship between the two countries, a White House official said on Monday. “The President reaffirmed the enduring US commitment to Japan, our treaty ally, and expressed his gratitude for their years of successful  cooperation that further strengthened the US-Japan alliance,” the official said.

Putin says Russia will respond to NATO expansion 

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia would take countermeasures in response to NATO expansion, RIA news agency quoted him as saying on Monday. “Why are we reacting to NATO expansion so emotionally? We are concerned by NATO’s decision making,” Putin was quoted as saying in an interview to be broadcast on Russian TV later on Monday.