Russian President Vladimir Putin has assured Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian that Moscow is prepared to do everything necessary to assist in ending the war led by the United States against Iran, according to reports from Russian news agencies.
The two leaders held discussions on Thursday in Turkmenistan, prior to the commencement of the summit for the Commonwealth of Independent States, a regional organization comprising former Soviet republics. During a telephone conversation on Wednesday, Putin also offered Moscow’s readiness to mediate efforts aimed at resolving the Middle Eastern conflict, as reported by Iran’s IRNA news agency.
“You know our position. On our part, we are ready to do everything we can to help you resolve this situation,” Putin was quoted as saying by Interfax. He further stated that Iran is making genuine efforts to conclude the conflict, which he claimed erupted without any fault on Iran’s part. Putin also highlighted a “positive evolution” in the diplomatic relations between the two nations.
This meeting follows a previous encounter between the two leaders on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Kyrgyzstan last month. Both countries, currently facing significant Western sanctions, have strengthened their diplomatic and military cooperation. Last year, they signed a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty encompassing trade, military collaboration, science, culture, and education.
Western nations and Ukraine have accused Iran of providing Shahed drones and short-range missiles to Russia for use in the war in Ukraine, while Russia has been alleged to supply targeting data to Iran for its attacks on American interests in the Middle East. Reports indicate that at least 81 US aircraft, valued at up to $3.3 billion, were lost or damaged during the conflict with Iran.
The diplomatic engagement comes amid a apparent standoff in US-Iran negotiations. US President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that the United States would not launch an attack on Iran before the November 3 midterm congressional elections, describing the ongoing talks as “productive.” Meanwhile, efforts to resolve Russia’s offensive in Ukraine remain deadlocked despite intensifying attacks from both sides.
Genuine efforts to resolve this? I’ll believe it when I see actual troop withdrawals, not just pretty words from Turkmenistan.
It’s interesting how both nations are leaning harder on each other due to Western sanctions. This partnership seems here to stay for a while.
Trump delaying any attack until after midterms feels like pure political calculation. Hope it actually brings peace rather than just a pause.
81 aircraft lost? That’s a staggering number. Seems like the conflict is escalating rather than de-escalating despite the diplomatic talks.
Is Moscow really a neutral mediator here, or is this just another strategic alliance against US influence in the region?