But speaking to journalists in the Russian far-eastern city of Vladivostok, Mr Putin urged Mr Obama - as a Nobel Peace Prize laureate - to think about future victims in Syria before using force.
He said it was ridiculous to suggest the Syrian government was to blame for the 21 August attack.
“Syrian government troops are on the offensive and have surrounded the opposition in several regions,” he said.
“In these conditions, to give a trump card to those who are calling for a military intervention is utter nonsense.”
Russia - a key ally of Syria - has previously warned that “any unilateral military action bypassing the UN Security Council” would be a “direct violation of international law”.
Moscow, along with China, has vetoed two previous draft resolutions on Syria.
Mr Putin also expressed surprise at a vote in the British parliament on Thursday ruling out participation in military action.
“I will be honest: this was completely unexpected for me,” he said.
“This shows that in Great Britain, even if it is the USA’s main geopolitical ally in the world... there are people who are guided by national interests and common sense, and value their sovereignty.”
“In these conditions, to give a trump card to those who are calling for a military intervention is utter nonsense.”
I feel creepy agreeing with ole Vlad here, but he does make perfect sense.