Russian President Putin arrives in Iran

Tehran: – While the conflict in Ukraine escalates, Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Tehran on Tuesday. President Putin will discuss fuel and economic cooperation with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi. Last week, US President Joe Biden visited the Gulf countries to strengthen the alliance against Russia and Iran. Therefore, the immediate visit of President Putin to Iran seems to be a counter move as claimed by the western media.

Last month, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi met during the meeting of Caspian region countries in Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan. This was the first foreign visit of the Russian President since the conflict broke out in Ukraine. However, the western media claimed that the Russian President was only visiting a Soviet ally and a country under Russian influence. Hence the visit of President Putin to Tehran on Tuesday is claimed by the same Western media to be his first foreign visit since the conflict.

The Russian President is on a visit to Iran for the Astana Summit. A tripartite meeting of the heads of state of Russia, Iran and Turkey will be held in the capital Tehran to discuss the ongoing conflict in Syria. As per the Iranian media, there would be a demand for Turkey to stop the attacks in Syria and assist Russia and Iran in establishing peace. On the other hand, there is information that the Russian President would use this occasion to strengthen cooperation with Iran and discuss the war situation in Ukraine with the leaders of Iran and Turkey.

Since the conflict in Ukraine, food grain exports from Ukraine and Russia have been severely hampered. Russia is accusing the United States and European countries of restricting the movements of cargo ships carrying food grains. A few days ago, one such ship reached a port in Turkey. Russia is willing to export food grains because western countries should open the sea route. President Putin will likely raise this issue during a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

It is claimed that Russia and Iran may sign some crucial agreements in this meeting. Before President Putin visited Iran, Russia’s Gazprom and Iran’s National Iranian Oil Company signed a historic $40 billion deal. Russia has invested in exploring fuel and natural gas fields in Iran. Russia and Iran may discuss avenues of strategic cooperation.

Meanwhile, Western media is accusing Russia of trying to use the Astana Summit to deter US politics in the Gulf.