Russia: Putin responds to West's criticisms of anti-terror operation in Syria

"SOT, Vladimir Solovyov, journalist (Russian): "Have they declined? "SOT, Vladimir Putin, Russian President (Russian): "Yes, they declined. They said 'No, we will not be working on this level', it is not clear why. If they really know better and want to fight terrorism, tell us the direct locations where the terrorists are sheltering, where they have command points, ammunition depots and equipment, give us the targets. What could be easier? But so far we haven't reached such level of joint work, but I'd like to repeat that the first steps in establishing the contacts on the military level have been made." Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the ongoing anti-terror operation in Syria during an interview with Russian journalist Vladimir Solovyov in Sochi, Sunday. During the interview Putin responded to allegations coming from a number of Western governments, including the USA, that Russia is not only bombing Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS, ISIL) militants and groups affiliated to al-Qaeda, but also groups allied to the Syrian opposition. "We told them: If you know the situation on the ground better than we do as you have been there for more than a year - unlawfully, but still you are present there - if you know better, though I doubt it but let's say, give us the targets. We will work on them," Putin said. When asked how the Western governments involved in Syria responded, Putin stated that "they said 'No, we will not be working on this level', it is not clear why," adding that "if they really know better and want to fight terrorism, tell us the direct locations where the terrorists are sheltering, where they have command points, ammunition depots and equipment, give us the targets. What could be easier?" The Russian president remained optimistic however, saying that, whilst Russia hadn't reached a joint level of work with the US-led coalition, "the first steps in establishing the contacts on the military level have been made."