President Barack Obama says China and Russia are "not aligned" with the U.S. and other nations on Syria but says both countries' leaders recognize the dangers of a civil war.

Obama met with Russian President Vladimir Putin (POO'-tihn) and Chinese President Hu Jintao (hoo jihn-tow) on the sidelines of an economic summit. Syria was a top subject.

China and Russia have close ties to Syria and have vetoed two U.N. resolutions that mentioned the threat of sanctions against President Bashar Assad's (bah-SHAR' AH'-sahd) regime. China and Russia, however, did support an observer mission in Syria and a plan by special envoy Kofi Annan (KOH'-fee AN'-nan) to end the violence.

Obama said Russia and China believe "everyone would be better served" if Syria had a mechanism for ceasing the violence."