G20 discusses Syrian crisis

While there’s been no decision from Washington on whether to strike Syria, the United States is already preparing. Non-essential staff at U.S. embassies and consulates in Turkey and Lebanon are being told to leave. But at the G20 summit, American and Russian leaders continue to disagree.

Thursday they shook hands. Friday, they butted heads.

The sticking point: Syria. President Obama and President Vladimir Putin of Russia revealed that they met privately:

“It was a candid and constructive conversation on Syria, I said, listen: I dont expect us to agree on this issue of chemical weapons use.”

Putin’s take through an interpreter:

“It was a very friendly meeting. We listen to each other. We understand arguments. We do not agree with those arguments, but still we can hear them. Everything that happened with the use of chemical weapons, it is all provocation on the part of the militants.”

On the level of international support. Obama revealed a “majority” of G20 leaders felt the Syrian regime used chemical weapons. Putin, still unconvinced, and saying it was 50-50 whether or not there should be a military strike.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Stephen Harper discussed his position:

“We share the view of our allies that when we see developments that we think in the long-term are dangerous for the planet and therefore for us as well, we are simply not prepared to accept the idea that there is a Russian veto over all of our actions.”

The Canadian government will contribute $45 million to help Syria. The money will go to organizations that provide food, clean water and shelter to protect Syrians who have fled the country.