He, however, warned the proposal should not be used as a stalling tactic, Xinhua reported. In multiple interviews with TV networks, Obama said he would prefer to have a diplomatic solution to the crisis instead of launching military attack, alluding he would put the strike against Syria on hold if the Syrian government were to turn over control of its chemical weapons.

"(Secretary of State) John Kerry and the rest of my national security team will engage with the Russians and the international community to see can we arrive at something that is enforceable and serious," said Obama. Obama,however, said he remained skeptical that Syria would turn over its chemical weapons, and would take the statements coming out of Syrian government officials in support of the Russian proposal "with a grain of salt".