Russian President Vladimir Putin told reporters Russia will continue arms sales and aid Syria if the U.S. goes forward with a military strike, the Wall Street Journal reports.

Meanwhile, the Washington Post notes Putin and President Obama met privately to discuss the crisis in Syria.  He said it was “a very friendly conversation” lasting about 20 minutes. He said he listened to Obama’s arguments that the Syrian government must be punished for a devastating chemical weapons attack last month but that he continues to disagree with the U.S. position.