Russia’s Vladimir Putin and US President Barack Obama held a private meeting on the margins of the G20 summit in Saint Petersburg, NTV television reported.

Putin and Obama discussed the Syrian issue, but the differences still exist, Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov said.

Earlier, Dmitry Peskov, a spokesperson for Russian leader, told reporters the separate meeting between the presidents was not planned. However, he admitted they can talk on the margins of the forum.