Vladimir Putin issued a warning to the west on Sunday while he was visiting India.
His comments seem to come in direct response to the UK and USA condemning Russia's involvement in the deaths of civilians in Aleppo, Syria.
After a summit of developing economies, he addressed a news conference and spoke of how he hoped the 'US and its allies' will try to avoid civilian casualties as much as possible when the planned attack of ISIS-held Mosul goes ahead.
Advert
He said: "We hope that our American partners, and in this case our French partners as well, will act selectively and do everything to minimise - and even better, to rule out - civilian casualties."
The UK and USA did speak out about possible sanctions for Russia's involvement in deaths in Aleppo.
Credit: PA Images
Continuing, he said: "We of course are not going to fan hysteria over this matter, like our partners in the west do, because we understand that we need to fight terrorism, and that there is no other way apart from active fighting."
Advert
Mosul is regarded as ISIS' 'second city' and, according to The Independent, is the 'last major stronghold of the jihadist group in Iraq'.
ISIS has been in control of the city since June 2014. However, a planned attack has been in the works for months.
Featured image credit: PA Images
Featured Image Credit:Topics: iraq, Warning, vladimir putin