President Barack Obama discussed the Syria crisis, including the importance of rushing humanitarian aid to that country and containing air strikes, with Russian leader Vladimir Putin by telephone, the White House said on Sunday.
"In particular, President Obama emphasized the importance now of Russia playing a constructive role by ceasing its air campaign against moderate opposition forces in Syria," the White House said in a statement.
Initially, Russia claimed to be targeting ISIS with an air campaign in Syria, but almost immediately it became clear that the country's true intention was to bomb groups in opposition to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
In fact, Russia's bombing of rebel groups who fight both Assad and ISIS in Syria may have even helped ISIS gain territory.
"The Russians at this point have made it very clear that their offensive operations … are in support of Bashar al-Assad and his regime," Pentagon spokesman Col. Steve Warren said in a recent briefing. "So when the regime is fighting, whoever the regime is fighting, that’s who gets struck."
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