President Barack Obama said Monday the USA and Russian Federation have not given up on negotiations that could stem the bloodshed in Syria, but acknowledged that leaders are challenged by "gaps of trust" between the rival powers. But U.S. was wary of enter a deal that would not be effective.
While Vladimir Putin-led Russian government has backed Assad in the conflict, USA backs opposition forces that are up against Assad. "No, no. It is Fetullah Gulen", has said as he explained what Ankara wants from Washington. Officials hope a ceasefire will help advance talks on a political transition that would lead to the resignation of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad.
The outreach is a core element of Obama's attempt to shift USA diplomatic and military resources away from the Middle East and into Asia in order to counter China's dominance in the region and ensure a foothold in growing markets.
Obama, as Vice President Joe Biden did when he visited Turkey last month, has a fine line to walk between delivering a strong message aimed at curbing Erdogan's moves and making nice with a North Atlantic Treaty Organisation ally of strategic importance.
"Mr Putin gave a clear and unequivocal indication that we are interested in completely re-establishing our relations and dialogue in all areas, including the most sensitive ones", he added.
USA authorities are also said to be investigating the hack of another Democratic Party organization, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.
In a vague reference to Gulen, Obama said the Justice Department and USA national security teams "will cooperate with Turkish authorities to determine how we can make sure that those who carried out these activities are brought to justice".
"Clearly, he's a colorful guy", Obama said.
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Putin and May also touched on such issues as counterterrorism, the Syria crisis, aviation safety and drug-trafficking, Russian Economic Development Minister Alexei Ulyukayev said after the meeting.
"Our goal is not to suddenly in the cyber arena duplicate a cycle of escalation that we saw when it comes to other arms races in the past", he said, "but rather to start instituting some norms so that everyone is acting responsibly".
Earlier in the day, the Turkish president also met with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
A deal on Syria could place US-Russia ties in a firmer position as Obama prepares to leave office.
But the focus on climate quickly gave way to the failed Syria talks. Upon Obama's arrival, social media exploded with speculation China had slighted Obama after there was no staircase awaiting him on the tarmac, forcing the president to deplane through a set of internal stairs he rarely uses.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said U.S and Turkey must adopt a common attitude against terrorism.
Obama was one of several world leaders visiting Laos to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
