‘Gaps of trust’ hamper Syria deal with Russia,says Obama

Russian President Vladimir Putin says Moscow and Washington may soon reach an agreement on ways to reduce violence in Syria, following a meeting with U.S. counterpart Barack Obama.

“President Obama and President Putin were not going to get down into the weeds of the language of an agreement and the implementation associated with the agreement”, the official said.

President Jean-Claude Juncker of the European Commission arrives at the Hangzhou Exhibition Center to participate in G20 Summit, Sunday, Sept. 4, 2016 in Hangzhou, China.

The deal depends on the two sides agreeing to closer military co-ordination against extremist groups operating in Syria, something the Russians have long sought and the U.S. resisted.

“There is a difference between commitment and enforcement.at least, it’s here”, he said.

The two leaders agreed to keep looking for a path to provide humanitarian aid to civilians in the war-torn state.

The U.S. backs some of the rebel groups against Assad, considering them relative moderates. “The construction of infrastructure facilities was also discussed, which would boost the economies of developing countries which could be crucial to the future to the world”, Yi said.

“The skirmishes between Chinese and US officials when US President Barack Obama arrived in Hangzhou for the G20 summit on Saturday have attracted undue attention from Western media outlets, dismaying Chinese netizens and observers who viewed the hype as fresh evidence of the arrogance of some in the West”, the Global Times reported. That reflects a recognition that economic strains are fueling political tensions and a growing clamor to raise barriers against foreign competition.

But in a communique the leaders pointed to a litany of economic ills including financial market volatility, sluggish trade and investment, and gyrating commodity prices.

Heavy security for the event brought Hangzhou, a city of 2.5 million people, to a standstill and left downtown streets deserted. Many streets downtown were deserted. The president used an alternative exit, but quarrels with Chinese officials broke out on the tarmac and at other venues over access by US officials and the traveling press.

North Korea fired three ballistic missiles into the sea on Monday, South Korea said, in a show of force that collided with the summit.

While Seoul and Washington say the system is intended exclusively to defend against North Korea’s missile threat, Beijing says it will allow the USA military to peer deeply into northeastern China. Duterte on Monday warned that Obama should not question him, during a scheduled meeting Tuesday, about extrajudicial killings in his country.

Obama said “the typical the tone of our meetings are candid, blunt and businesslike and this one was no different”.

“I always want to make sure if I’m having a meeting that it’s productive and we’re getting something done”, Obama said during his news conference.

China is already an economic power, but to host worldwide conferences or even set up a G20 secretariat requires recognition of its soft power which would take time and requires patience, said Cai Tuo, director of the Center for Globalization and Global Issues Studies at the Chinese University of Political Science and Law.

But the diplomatic efforts were unsuccessful, Obama said at a press conference on Monday.