Putin backs direct talks between Russian, U.S. lawmakers over Syria

An initiative to send a delegation of Russian lawmakers for direct talks with their U.S. colleagues on Syrian problem is timely and correct, President Vladimir Putin said Monday.

"Indeed, in order to better understand each other, there is no other way but a direct and open dialogue with arguments and with the presentation of positions," Putin told the heads of the Parliament's Upper House, or the Federation Council, Valentina Matviyenko and Lower House, or the State Duma, Sergei Naryshkin.

Putin expressed his belief that U.S. lawmakers would better understand Moscow's stances over Syria after listening to the Russia's arguments.

"Sure, our U.S. colleagues could better understand and feel what the Russian position is. It would not be useless to listen to our American partners as well," he said.

Putin added that a dialogue between the lawmakers would be also a significant element for the development of Russian-U.S. relations.

U.S. President Barack Obama on Saturday announced that he has decided to take military action against Syrian government targets. He sent Congress a draft resolution that authorizes a U.S. military strike over the alleged use of chemical weapons by Syrian government near Damascus on Aug. 21.

"We expect the U.S. Congress will not support the offer to stage a provocation against Syria," Matviyenko said.

She also asked Putin to invite a delegation of the U.S. Congress to Russia.

The U.S. Congress reconvenes on Sept. 9 after the summer recess.