Putin meets Iran's President Pezeshkian in Turkmenistan, offers help on Middle East
In short
Russian President Vladimir Putin met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in Turkmenistan on 8 October, discussing bilateral relations and the situation in the Middle East. Putin said Moscow was ready to do everything possible to help Tehran settle the situation in the region, and cited growth of more than 21% in trade turnover last year. The meeting took place while Putin was in Turkmenistan for a CIS summit and the Caspian Environmental Summit.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in Turkmenistan on 8 October, discussing bilateral relations and the situation in the Middle East, RIA Novosti reported. Vedomosti, citing the Kremlin, described it as a separate meeting held during Putin's visit to Turkmenistan; TASS said it took place on the sidelines of the CIS summit. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
"Of course, the most acute problem today is the situation in the region," Putin said, according to RIA Novosti. He assured Pezeshkian that Moscow was ready to do everything to help Tehran with a settlement. Vedomosti reported that Putin noted positive dynamics in relations between Moscow and Tehran and passed on his best wishes to Mojtaba Khamenei. [ 2 , 3 ]
Putin said cooperation between the two countries was developing and strengthening on the basis of a signed treaty. "In the economic sphere, the processes can certainly be considered positive: more than 21 percent growth in trade turnover last year, and in the first seven months of this year this trend continues," he said, according to RIA Novosti. Pezeshkian's office said the talks focused on strengthening economic and strategic cooperation in energy, agriculture, transport and trade. [ 2 ]
Putin travelled to Turkmenistan for a meeting of the CIS Council of Heads of State and the Caspian Environmental Summit, which brought together the leaders of all five Caspian states, including Iran's president. The events are held in the Avaza national tourist zone, a resort complex on the eastern coast of the Caspian Sea near the city of Turkmenbashi. Vedomosti reported that Putin will spend two days in the country, and that he had already met Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, attended a reception for CIS leaders and spoken with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. [ 2 , 3 ]
On 9 October, TASS reported that Iran's ambassador said the consultations between Putin and Pezeshkian show a course toward strengthening the partnership. [ 4 ]
Why it matters
TASS and RIA Novosti reported the talks, in which Putin offered Russian help to Iran on the regional situation. Iran's ambassador, according to TASS, said the consultations point to a course toward strengthening the partnership.
Key facts
- Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian met in Turkmenistan on 8 October. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- They discussed bilateral relations and the situation in the Middle East. [ 2 ]
- Putin said Moscow was ready to do everything possible to help Tehran settle the situation in the region. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Putin said trade turnover grew by more than 21% last year and the trend continued in the first seven months of this year. [ 2 ]
- Pezeshkian's office said the talks focused on economic and strategic cooperation in energy, agriculture, transport and trade. [ 2 ]
- Putin was in Turkmenistan for a meeting of the CIS Council of Heads of State and the Caspian Environmental Summit. [ 2 , 3 ]
- The events are held in the Avaza national tourist zone on the eastern coast of the Caspian Sea. [ 2 , 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Putin held talks with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in Turkmenistan. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- Putin said Russia was ready to do everything possible to help Iran settle the situation in the Middle East. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Putin arrived in Turkmenistan to take part in a CIS summit and the Caspian Environmental Summit. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Putin also met Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov during the visit. [ 2 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- What Iran's ambassador said about the consultations beyond that they show a course toward strengthening the partnership. Only a TASS headline and short summary are available.
- Who Putin said was making real attempts to end the conflict in the region. The RIA Novosti text of the quote is incomplete and omits the subject of the sentence.
- Putin passed on his best wishes to Mojtaba Khamenei. Reported only by Vedomosti, citing the Kremlin.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- 8 October: TASS reports that Putin held talks with Iran's president in Turkmenistan. [ 1 ]
- 8 October: RIA Novosti reports the meeting, with Putin's remarks on the region and trade. [ 2 ]
- 8 October: Vedomosti reports the meeting, citing the Kremlin. [ 3 ]
- 9 October: TASS reports Iran's ambassador saying the consultations show a course toward strengthening the partnership. [ 4 ]