The sense that Putin came out the meeting with more than Obama was enhanced by a comment from a Russian diplomat. Asked if the meeting was important for the Russians, the Russian diplomat said: "Yes, but even more for the Americans."

Putin has just come out of an election but Obama is facing one, making the US president the more vulnerable of the two. Syria is not yet an election issue but if television keeps showing footage of widespread killing in the country, it could easily become one.

John McCain, the Republican senator who was a presidential candidate in 2008, was dismissive of the joint statement by Obama and Putin. "I think it was the kind of statement you usually hear when there is no concrete agreement."

McCain called on Monday for US intervention by creating a safe haven for the rebels and to supply them with arms. He said on CNN it was an "unfair fight", noting reports of alleged supplies from Russia and Iran to the Syrian government.

The White House so far has shown an unwillingness for military intervention comparable to Libya last year and it had been hoping Putin might have helped in peacefully easing Assad from power.

Instead, Obama's failure to win over Putin leaves Syria facing the prospect of increasing violence.

>>>>>>>> Putin doesn't think much of Romney, some of the talks to try and save lives in that civil war can't happen now.

... Obama could do a Blair, and work afterwards on the problem... as a known face.