SOCHI, October 24 (RIA Novosti) - The United States and its allies have provided Syrian militants with direct funding and weapons, inciting inflow of mercenaries into the Arab country, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday at the 11th Valdai International Discussion Club.
"In Syria, just like in old times, the US and its allies began to provide militants with direct funding and weapons to incite filling of their ranks by mercenaries from different countries," Putin said.
"Where did the militants get the money, weapons, military experts from? How did the IS [Islamic State] turn into a mighty, de facto army group," added the Russian leader.