Putin slams US over refugee crisis in Europe

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday held the US responsible for the refugee crisis in Europe.

Putin said he feels "perplexed" when observing US media criticising Europe for its cruelty toward immigrants, adding that the influx of immigrants was expected.

Russia has been speculating for years that major issues would take place as a result of the persistent wrong foreign policies of its "western partners", especially in regions of the Muslim world, reported Efe news agency.

He reiterated that western policy seeks to impose its values and standards in these regions, regardless of their historical, religious, national and cultural peculiarities.

Putin said Russia wants to encourage the creation of an international coalition to fight jihadists -- a proposal that has already been raised by his US counterpart Barak Obama, and several leaders of the Arab world.

While Moscow considers that forming a coalition that unites the regime in Damascus with its opposition in the fight against a common enemy will boost the political process in Syria, Washington proposed expanding its air strikes against al-Assad troops if they attack west-backed militias.