US President Barack Obama and Vladimir Putin were Thursday set to argue out their differences on the Syria crisis over dinner at the G20 in Russia as world leaders sought to overcome a deep chasm over a US-led push for military action.
Obama prepared to argue his case for punitive strikes against Syria over the regime's alleged use of chemical weapons, as Russia stood firm in its fierce opposition.
As tensions over the Syrian conflict threatened to torpedo the work plan of the G20, Putin made a last minute announcement for participants to air their views over dinner.
Pleas for Washington to step back from a war path grew louder, with China, the United Nations and even the pope chiming in.
In a new bid for a peaceful solution for Syria, the UN announced that its special envoy Lakhdar Brahimi was on his way to attend the summit to push for peace talks.
