Vladimir Putin has assured Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian that Russia would support the country, which has come under attack from the US.
“In these difficult times, we are trying to provide them with the necessary aid; we have discussed this and are supplying the required goods,” Putin said during talks in the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek on Tuesday.
Pezeshkian thanked the Russian government for its support during the war and for its assistance in dealing with the economic consequences of US sanctions.
“Relations between Iran and Russia are sincere and deep, and ties between the two countries have improved in all areas,” the president said, according to the Iranian state news agency IRNA.
Putin also asked Pezeshkian to convey “our greetings and words of sincere support” to Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei.
“We in Russia stand in solidarity with the Iranian people,” said Putin. “We admire their courage and steadfastness in the fight for their national interests,” he continued.
“Despite the military and political situation, we are maintaining the momentum of trade and economic relations, as well as the cooperation established over the past year,” Putin added.
Putin and Pezeshkian were taking part in the summit of the China- and Russia-friendly Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Bishkek. The SCO advocates cooperation between the states of the Global South and East.
Ukraine, which is under attack by Russia, accuses Moscow and Tehran of supporting one another in their respective wars.
Putin is said to have received Iranian drones, while Tehran, in turn, is alleged to have received satellite data from Moscow for attacks in the Middle East.