Vladimir Putin calls John Kerry a liar over al-Qaeda in Syria claims Speaking to his human rights council, Mr Putin recalled watching a congressional debate where Mr Kerry was asked about al-Qaeda. Mr Putin said he had denied that it was operating in Syria, even though he was aware of the al-Qaeda-linked Jabhat al-Nusra group. When asked if a strike would make al-Nusra and other extremist forces stronger, Mr Kerry responded, "No, I don't believe you do (make them stronger). As a matter of fact, I think you actually make the opposition stronger. And the opposition is getting stronger by the day now. In testimony on Wednesday, Mr Kerry said that he didn't agree that "a majority (of the opposition) are al- Qaeda and the bad guys." Extremists amount to 15 to 25 per cent of the opposition, he said, including al-Nusra and many other groups that are "fighting each other, even now." Mr Putin also repeated Russia's position that any use of military force against Syria without the approval of the UN Security Council would be an act of aggression.