Vladimir Putin has warned that any US military strike on Syria that circumvents the United Nations will undermine the global body and risk unleash a wave of terror.
In a column in the New York Times the Russian President saidany action will "result in more innocent victims and escalation, potentially spreading the conflict far beyond Syria's borders."
The article appeared on the website of the Times at the same time as US Secretary of State John Kerry headed to Geneva for talks with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov on a Russian plan that could see Syria give up its chemical weapons.
The two diplomats hold talks in the Swiss capital today.
Putin wrote in his commentary that an American military strike could lead to massive loss of life and would foment unrest throughout the already restive Middle East.
"A strike would increase violence and unleash a new wave of terrorism. It could undermine multilateral efforts to resolve the Iranian nuclear problem and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and further destabilize the Middle East and North Africa. It could throw the entire system of international law and order out of balance."
Putin also maintained his steadfast support for Syrian President Bashar Al Assad, writing that there is "every reason to believe" it was not the Syrian government but rebel forces used sarin gas in an August 21 attack in the Damascus suburbs.
He claims the rebels did so to "provoke intervention by their powerful foreign patrons."
