Putin warns Macron against Syria actions

MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday warned his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron during a telephone call against any "dangerous actions" in Syria, the Kremlin said.

"The most important thing is to refrain from ill-considered and dangerous actions that would constitute a gross violation of the UN Charter and would have unpredictable consequences," the office of the president said in a statement after the call.

Macron on Thursday said he had "proof" the Syrian regime had used chemical weapons on the former rebel outpost of Douma and would announce his response "in due course". "Vladimir Putin emphasised the advisability of conducting a thorough and objective investigation, until the completion of which it is not advised to voice any accusations against anyone," the Kremlin statement said. Moscow has repeatedly claimed the chemical attack was staged by rebels to provoke further intervention in the conflict by the West.