Putin: U.S. intervening in Syria ‘does not follow any logic’

Russian president Vladimir Putin Saturday rejected the need for any western intervention in Syria on the grounds that the Assad regime used chemical weapons against civilians August 21, calling the charge against Assad a "provocation."

Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting celebrating the Navy Day in Sevastopol on July 28, 2013, during a two-day official visit to Ukraine. (Photo by Mikhail Klimentyev/AFP/Getty Images)

Russian president Vladimir Putin Saturday rejected the need for any western intervention in Syria on the grounds that the Assad regime used chemical weapons against civilians August 21, calling the charge a “provocation.”

“With regard to our American colleagues and friends, who say that the government forces have used chemical weapons of mass destruction and who say that they have proof of this—let them show this evidence to the UN in to the Security Federation. But the references to the fact that they have such evidence but that it is secret—cannot give way to any kind of criticism,” Putin said from Vladivostock, NBC News reported. “It is just not respectful to their partners and international figures. If there is evidence, it must be provided. If they are not provided, that means it’s not there.”

Putin said that Syrian forces have been closing in on rebels and that, “to give the prize to those who constantly call for foreign military intervention, is utter nonsense. It does not follow any logic.”

“This is why I am sure this is just a provocation of those who want to drag other countries into a Syrian crisis—those who want the support of powerful international players—primarily the United States,” he said.

Friday, President Obama said that he had not yet made a decision about what kind of action the U.S. would take, but that he was considering a “limited narrow act.”

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“We have currently rules in place dealing with the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, we have international norms that have been violated,” Obama continued. “The U.N. has put sanctions in place, but if there’s a sense no one is willing to enforce them then people won’t take it seriously.”

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UN weapons inspectors left Damascus early Saturday morning, possibly clearing the way for an American strike.

Shortly before Obama’s statements Friday, Secretary of State John Kerry gave an aggressive speech arguing for Syria to be held accountable for the weapons use.

“It matters to our security and the security of our allies,” Kerry said of responding to Bashar al-Assad. “It matters to Israel. It matters to our close friends Jordan, Turkey and Lebanon, all of whom live just a stiff breeze away from Damascus. It matters to all of them where the Syrian chemical weapons are–and if unchecked they can cause even greater death and destruction to those friends.”