The United States, as well as other Western countries, imposed sanctions on Russia over the annexation and over claims that Russia is supporting an insurgency in eastern Ukraine with troops and arms.
Moscow has denied that it is building up its presence there in order to protect its longtime ally, Syrian President Bashar Assad, but said instead that it wants to help him fight the Islamic State group.
The last time Putin and Obama were face to face was a series of brief encounters in November at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Beijing.
The White House said Monday’s meeting was arranged at …read more
Source: San Francisco Chronicle
