Vladimir Putin supports Assad in the war against ISIS in 60 Minutes interview

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Putin was speaking ahead of New York UN summit he will attend tomorrow
Dismissed criticism that he is a political Tsar, saying name 'does not fit'
Also issued veiled criticism of U.S. military intervention in the Middle East
Continued to back the Assad regime in the fight against ISIS in Sryia
But he also praised Americans for their 'creativity' in solving problems

Published: 23:02 EST, 24 September 2015 | Updated: 05:22 EST, 25 September 2015

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Russian President Vladimir Putin has given a rare interview on American TV in which he insisted he is not a dictator and still backs the Assad regime in the fight against ISIS.

Interviewed by 60 Minutes on CBS, Putin insisted that the Tsar label he is often given, in reference to his largely uninterrupted decades of political power, 'does not fit'.

The Russian leader's comments came ahead of his appearance at the UN headquarters in New York next week for a summit which will be addressed by Pope Francis.

See our full coverage of Russian President Valdimir Putin news and photos

Russian President Vladimir Putin has given a rare interview on U.S. TV in which he rejected the label of being a political Tsar, saying that it 'does not fit me'

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Speaking to Charlie Rose, Putin also discussed the situation in Syria, taking a dig at America's military intervention in the Middle East, before praising the U.S. for its 'creativity'.

Asked what he thought of being called a Tsar, Putin said: 'So what? You know, people call me different names.'

Pressed on whether he thought the name fitted, he added: 'No, it does not fit me. It is not important how I'm called by well-wishers friends or political opponents.

'It is important what you think of you, what you must do for the interests of the country which has entrusted you with the position of head of the Russian state.'

In short preview segments of the show, which is due to air on Sunday, Putin also controversially backed the Assad regime in the Syrian civil war, a position that many argue has led to - or at least assisted - the rise of ISIS in the Middle East.

When it was put to him that he was trying to save the Assad administration, Putin said: 'You are right and it is my deep belief that any actions to the contrary in order to destroy the legitimate government will create a situation which you can witness now in the other countries of the region.

Quizzed by Charlie Rose (pictured) ahead of his visit to New York for a UN summit, Putin defended the Assad regime in Syria, saying the only solution to ISIS is to support the governments that are already in place

'For instance in Libya where all the state institutions are disintegrated. We see the similar situation in Iraq and there's no other solution to the Syrian crisis than strengthening the effective government structures and rendering them help in fighting terrorism.'

While Putin did not mention America by name, he was likely making reference to the US-led military interventions in both Iraq and Libya which first toppled Saddam Hussein, and then helped to remove Colonel Gaddafi from power.

Putin added: 'At the same time we must encourage them [the Assad regime] to engage in dialogue with the rational opposition and conduct reform.

'It is only the Syrian people who should decide who should govern their country, and how.'

The argument echoes statements made by Russia at the start of the Syrian civil war in 2012, when it backed Assad even as he was accused of ordering troops to fire on innocent protesters.

Russia has been a key backer of Assad, maintaining a naval base out of the country at Tartus and providing weapons and military training since the days of the Cold War and USSR.

Ahead of his visit to America in the next few days, Putin also talked about how he admires American 'creativity' in solving problems which he believes has led to this country's success.

Praising the U.S. for being able to 'exert enormous influence on the situation in the world', Putin said it was America's ability to 'unleash the potential of its people', which makes the country successful.

Putin is due in New York tomorrow along with 192 other leaders from across the world in order to discuss the UN's sustainable development agenda.

Key to the summit are the three goals of ending extreme poverty, fighting inequality and injustice, and fixing climate change, wither leaders expected to draw up a timetable to achieve all three within the next 15 years.

The summit will be addressed by Pope Francis, an outspoken voice on climate change, who has already used a speech in Congress to call for America to do more on the issue.

Likely the biggest issue for Russia will be combating inequality and injustice, after it was criticized for passing a law against 'promoting homosexuality' and suspected of being behind several high-profile assassinations, including that of opposition leader Boris Nemtsov in the shadow of the Kremlin.