The debate over possible military strikes for Syria’s apparent use of chemical weapons is already overshadowing the G-20 conference this week.

The meeting in Russia will pit two leaders with polar opposite views on Syria — U. S. President Barack Obama, who wants to launch limited military strikes against the Syrian regime, and Russian President Vladimir Putin, whose country stands by its longtime ally in the Middle East.

The views of the 18 other countries at the G-20 run the gamut — but could be influenced by whatever happens in St. Petersburg.

Calls for intervention in Syria intensified after an alleged chemical weapons attack in rebel strongholds last month left about 1,400 people dead, according to U. S. estimates. Pres. Obama has been at the forefront of calls for a military response, along with French President Francois Hollande.

But some world leaders took the summit spotlight to stump against military action.

European Council President Herman Van Rompuy said that while the international community “cannot remain idle” in the face of Syria’s apparent chemical weapons use, “there is no military solution to the Syrian conflict.”

“Only a political solution can end the terrible bloodshed, grave violations of human rights and the far-reaching destruction of Syria” he said. “Too many lives have already been lost and too many people have suffered for too long and lost too much.”

Pope Francis also spoke out, sending a letter Thursday to Putin in his role as host of the G-20 summit, urging a peaceful solution to the Syrian crisis and calling military intervention a “futile pursuit.”

 Pictured: President Obama shakes  hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Senate Committee Authorizes Limited Military Response In Syria

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Wednesday voted to give President Barack Obama the power to a launch a military attack to punish Syria for using chemical weapons.

The vote was 10-7. It marked the first time in more than a decade — since a 2002 resolution that preceded the Iraq war — that members of Congress have voted to authorize military action.

The resolution, which could be voted on by the full Senate as early as next week, forbids Pres. Obama from using ground troops in Syria and allows the military response to last no longer than three months.