During Iran visit, Putin pushes for political settlement to Syrian conflict

Before that agreement was ever concluded, it was already used to justify the restoration of contract for the transfer of an advanced S-300 missile defense system from Russian Federation to Iran.

Putin and Khamenei understand that a sustained attempt is being made by the USA and European and Arab allies “seeking to peel Russian Federation away from its alliance with Iran” as the Wall Street Journal(WSJ) reported last week quoting senior diplomats in Washington.

Russia’s Vnesheconombank, Russia’s Export Insurance Agency EXIAR and Iran’s Central Bank signed a memorandum of understanding to promote investment activities, guarantee support, export financing and trade ties. A total of 35 priority projects have been selected in energy, construction, sea port terminals and railways. “Among other things, we will help process enriched uranium and convert manufacturing plants to create stable isotopes for research purposes”.

While it was generally understood that Syria would be the main focus of high-level meetings during Putin’s visit, the Russian president was also there for a natural gas conference, reflecting only one part of the emerging economic collaboration between the two Asian powers. Positional warfare is in progress at the moment, and neither party to the conflict has achieved a decisive breakthrough.

Syria has been in a state of civil war since a 2011 political crisis, with government forces fighting opposition factions aiming to overthrow Syrian President Bashar Assad, as well as various Islamist groups, including the Islamic State and the Nusra Front. “The Iranian army professes Shi’ite Islam”.

Putin, whose comments were published on his official website, also said: “We will continue mutually beneficial cooperation in nuclear energy”. The West wants him to step down, while Russian Federation and Iran have provided him diplomatic and, increasingly, military cover. “But there is a big question mark over whether the Syrian and Iranian armies will agree with the need for such political reform”, Akhmetov said.

Russian Federation and Iran signed a contract for Moscow to supply Tehran with S-300 surface-to-air missile systems on 9 November. Russia, on the other hand, is mostly interested in retaining strong state institutions and in preserving the presence of its navy in the Mediterranean. On the fundamental principle that a future government in Syria ought to be elected by the people of that country through free democratic choice Moscow and Tehran are unwilling to compromise.

Suffice it to say the Kremlin appears to have reached the conclusion after careful considerationand an off-and-on dalliance with Saudi Arabiathat Iran is key to stabilizing the Middle East and is a pivotal regional power for Russian Federation. But at the same time Tehran maintains constructive relations with many countries that have secular authorities.

Iranian President Rouhani similarly stated that “when it comes to combating terrorism, some countries are just talking and carrying out showy actions, but Iran and Russian Federation have shown that they are serious about the fight” in Syria.