Ex-US Ambassador to Russia spoke about the meeting between Putin and Obama

President Barack Obama will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin tomorrow at the UN.

In an interview with NPR radio, the former US ambassador to Russia, Michael McFaul, explained the main objectives of the American leader, deciding to meet with his Russian counterpart.

The main topics of tomorrow’s conversation will be questions of Russia's military presence in Syria.

"The White House hopes that Russia will change its position on a political settlement in Syria and will cease to support President Bashar Assad," said McFaul.

But in reality, the diplomat notes, it is doubtful that the presidents will manage to come to a common opinion on the Syrian issue.

“Putin’s goals have been achieved,” the former US ambassador said. “The question of Syria instead of Ukraine and the meeting with Obama itself. The question of Russia's cooperation with a broad coalition in the fight against LIH will also be raised by Putin. "

When asked by a journalist, whether Putin wants to win the favor of the world community and regain confidence in his actions, McFaul replied that Putin is not trying to whitewash himself in the eyes of the world community and get approval. His main goal is to return to the game.

“He created a crisis and forces other leaders to reckon with him in solving the crisis,” McFaul says.

According to the ambassador, Assad, with the help of Russia, did not turn the tide in the fight against the Islamic State. "All they've done is put weapons in there, but the US is playing the lead in solving this crisis (they're bombing)," says McFaul.

He also noted that it is worth remembering that Assad is the main reason for the emergence of ISIS. And Russia, desperately supporting the regime of the Syrian president for four years, has contributed to the expansion of the crisis.