The Russian president called on the global community to put aside any geopolitical ambitions and join forces in the fight against ISIS. The Islamic State cannot be defeated without the help of the Syrian Army, the Russian leader added. Russia is concerned about the Islamic State extremist group's encroachment on Saudi Arabia, Israel and Europe, Putin said Tuesday. "The terrorists publicly declare they threaten Mecca, Medina, Jerusalem, with plans to spread their activity to Europe, Russia, Central and Southeast Asia. We are concerned about that," Putin said. Speaking at the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) summit in the Tajik capital of Dushanbe, Putin said ISIS control of vast tracts of Syria and Iraq represents a "serious" challenge. "Militants from many countries, including unfortunately Europe and Russia, are being ideologically indoctrinated and are undergoing military training within Islamic State ranks," the Russian leader stressed. ISIS has spread its activities far beyond Iraq and Syria, Putin said calling on the global community to join forces in the anti-terror fight. "The scope of the organization's activities have gone far beyond Iraq and Syria. The terrorists conduct mass executions, plunge entire peoples into chaos and poverty, destroy cultural monuments and religious sites."
