Politics
Putin travels to Iran to holds talks with Khamenei in first foreign trip since Ukraine invasion
“A trusting dialogue has developed between them on the most important issues on the bilateral and international agenda. On most issues, our positions are close or identical”, said Yuri Ushakov, Putin's foreign policy adviser
July 20, 2022 9:19am
Updated: July 20, 2022 2:00pm
Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks with Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran on Tuesday, marking his first trip outside the former Soviet Union since the outbreak of the Ukraine war on Feb. 24.
The Russian leader and Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi were photographed sitting several feet from the Supreme Leader.
“The contact with Khamenei is very important,” Yuri Ushakov, Putin's foreign policy adviser, told Moscow reporters, according to Reuters.
“A trusting dialogue has developed between them on the most important issues on the bilateral and international agenda. On most issues, our positions are close or identical.”
Both Iran and Russia are now sanctioned by Western countries – Tehran for over its nuclear ambitions and Moscow for its “special military operation” into neighboring Ukraine.
The meeting comes shortly after President Joe Biden concluded trips to Israel and Saudi Arabia, suggesting Moscow is trying to cozy up to its neighbors who are also at odds with the U.S. and its allies.
"Both our countries have good experience in countering terrorism and this has provided much security to our region," Raisi said after the talks, reports Reuters.
"I hope your visit to Iran will increase cooperation between our two independent countries."
However, Moscow and Tehran have been forced to compete in the Chinese crude market because of sanctions.
Putin and Khamenei are also set to meet Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the summit, which is ostensibly convening to discuss the Syrian conflict. Russia and Iran are hoping to talk Turkey out of its own “special military operation” against the Kurdish resistance in Syria’s north, according to Foreign Policy.
The meeting may also yield a deal to resume Ukrainian grain cut off by a Russian blockade of the Black Sea. Countries in the region like Egypt, Lebanon and Libya are among the almost 50 countries that depend on Russia and Ukraine for more than 30% of its required wheat imports.
