Presidents Putin, Erdogan, & Supreme Leader Khamenei, Meeting in Iran

Russian President Vladimir Putin meeting with with the Supreme Leader of Iran Ali Khamenei during a visit to Tehran, Iran in September 2018. Photo Credit: Khamenei.ir from Wikipedia

By Adam Butler, SJ Correspondent
July 20, 2022 01:30 am UTC
Modified: July 20, 2022 01:30 am

TEHRAN - Today there was a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin, Turkish President Recep Tayhip Erdogan, and the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ali Khamenei. The topics of discussion were Ukrainian grain exports as well as peace in Syria.

All 3 leaders who hold stakes in Syria and are not necessarily in opposition though Russia and Iran both oppose Turkey's established 'safe-zones', do sit on different sides of the table in regards to Ukraine, as Turkey's president holds a seat in NATO, according to Reuters.

This trip is the 1st for Russian President Vladimir Putin to occur since his military operation began in Ukraine, and an important point of this meeting is the strengthening of ties between the Russian Federation, Iran, China, and India strategically. Putin will meet with the Supreme Leader of Iran Khamenei and the Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi.

"The contact with Khamenei is very important... ...A trusting dialogue has developed between them on the most important issues on the bilateral and international agenda." - Yuri Ushakov, Putin's Foreign Policy Advisor, Moscow

This meeting comes in light of a previous meeting between United States President Joe Biden and the Prime Minister of Israel last Thursday and the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia on Friday, where the US and Israeli leaders both signed a pact authorizing the use of force to prevent Tehran from becoming a nuclear-capable nation and has created a network which could pull power away from Iran in the region.

Both Iran and the Russian Federation are currently under heavy sanctions from western countries. Iran for its nuclear acquisition, and Russia for its military operation in Ukraine.

"Considering the evolving geopolitical ties after the Ukraine war, the establishment tries to secure Moscow's support in Tehran's confrontation with Washington and its regional allies." - Anonymous Senior Iranian Official

Since sanctions have been placed on Russian resources, Tehran has had to limit its exports of oil to China to allow room for Russia to do the same. Sharing the load is how it is seen, but Iran is hoping that Russian influence might allow for a concession for the 2015 nuclear deal with the western countries.