Russian President Vladimir Putin listens during a meeting with Andrei Kostin, foreground, head of Russian state-controlled VTB bank in the Novo-Ogaryovo residence, outside Moscow, Russia, Monday, Sept. 22, 2014 (Photo: AP)
Russian President Vladimir Putin warned just ahead of Tuesday's US air strikes in Syria that the offensive should not be carried out without the Syrian government's permission, in a phone call with United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.
"The Russian side stressed that directing air strikes against the bases of Islamic State terrorists in Syria should not be carried out without the agreement of the Syrian government," said a Kremlin statement issued shortly after midnight local time (20:00 GMT Monday).
The United States, with backing from five allied Arab states, launched strikes from the air and sea against Islamic State militants in Syria early on Tuesday.
Russia, which is locked in a showdown with the West over Ukraine, said earlier this month that unilateral US air strikes in Syria would be a violation of international law.
Putin will not attend a UN General Assembly that gathers in New York on Wednesday which is expected to focus much of its attention on the jihadist advance in Iraq and Syria.
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