Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to meet Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi for “important talks” in Moscow today (23 June), according to the Russian Interfax agency, which cited Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov.
As per news agency AFP, Araghchi left Tehran on Sunday (22 June) for his meeting with their ally, some 48 hours after the US bombed key nuclear sites in Iran.
Strategic visit? Russia a ‘crucial backer’ for Iran, condemned US-Israel strikes
The AFP report further noted that while Russia has been a “crucial backer” of Iran, but has not been forceful since Israel began attacks on 13 June and Iran responded with missiles and drones.
In official statements, the Kremlin has condemned attacks by the US and Israel on Iran’s nuclear energy sites, but there has so far been no offer of military help. It has also sought to distance itself from a strategic partnership signed with Iran just some months back, the report noted.
There is thus speculation that this meeting would be significant. “In this new dangerous situation … our consultations with Russia can certainly be of great importance,” Araghchi reportedly told Russian state media after he landed in Moscow.
Putin-Araghchi meeting: What we know…
So, what can we expect from Putin and Araghchi’s meeting?
According to a report by Russia’s state agency IRNA, there will be “consultations with the president (Putin) and other senior officials of Russia regarding regional and international developments following the military aggression by the US and the Zionist regime (Israel) against Iran”.
In an earlier statement, Putin had suggested he could mediate between Iran and Israel, but following pushback from US President Donald Trump, he later claimed he was only “suggesting ideas”.
Speaking at an economic forum in St. Petersburg, Putin said, “We are by no means seeking to act as a mediator, we are simply suggesting ideas. If they turn out to be attractive to both sides, we will only be happy.”
Russia’s foreign ministry on 21 June condemned the US strikes as “irresponsible”, after having previously warned against military intervention.
(With inputs from Agencies)
