Vladimir Putin wasn’t specific but his cryptic message seemed to send the message that Russia would act if the US uses military force of any kind without UN backing.
The Russian leader left wiggle room when he added that his country "doesn't exclude" supporting a UN resolution authorizing strikes if it can be proven that Syria used poison gas on its own people.
But Putin told the AP and Russian TV he thinks it’s "absolutely absurd" to think gas was used at a time when Syria had "encircled the so-called rebels and are finishing them off."
Putin also commented on the US and its pursuit of information leaker Edward Snowden saying American investigators "could have been more professional, and the diplomats as well.
Putin compared the US accusations in Syria to the Bush administration trying to find weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.