Two of America's enemies are strengthening ties, days before President-elect Donald Trump makes his historic return to the Oval Office. On Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian are meeting in Moscow to sign a partnership agreement.
Pezeshkian, who was elected president in Iran's run-off elections in July, will meet with Putin and participate in the signing of a partnership agreement during his first visit to Moscow as president.
“Iran is an important partner for us with multifaceted cooperation,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, Reuters reported.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian meet and shake hands in Moscow, Russia, on January 17, 2025. (Reuters/Evgenia Novogenina)
Russian and Iranian leaders are expected to discuss developing a transit corridor for trade and energy negotiations. reported by bloomberg. Iran is seeking to become Russia's gas hub, but there are no signs that the two countries are making substantial progress on the project, Bloomberg added.
National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan recently said that despite the Kremlin's independent moves on the world stage, the Biden administration will “weaken down” Russia, China and Iran ahead of President Trump's return to Washington. ” he claimed.
Sullivan says Biden administration will 'weaken' Russia, China, Iran and make America 'safer' before handing over Trump
Amid sanctions imposed by the United States and its allies, Russia has deepened ties with other anti-Western countries such as Iran and North Korea. Indeed, relations between Russia and Iran have expanded since President Putin's invasion of Ukraine, which led to years of war.
Mr. Vladimir Putin (left) and Mr. Volodymyr Zelensky (right) (Reuters/AP)
President-elect Trump's next special envoy to Ukraine and Russia is a retired military officer. Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg has already urged the United States to return to a “maximum pressure” policy against Iran.
“We must reinstate the policy of maximum pressure for the United States, and we must do so with the cooperation of the rest of the world, including those who support the Iranian people and their aspirations for democracy,” Kellogg said at the event. It also includes that.” Organized by the Iranian opposition group “Iranian National Council of Resistance'' in Paris.
Kellogg also appeals to the United States to stand with the Iranian people against the Tehran regime.
Blinken confirms Iran supplies short-range ballistic missiles to Russia
Although the United States and its allies have concerns about the deal, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the partnership agreement should not be a cause for concern.
“This agreement, like the treaty with North Korea, is not directed at anyone,” Lavrov reportedly said. sky news.
In June, President Putin met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang and signed an aid deal that brings the two countries closer than ever since the collapse of the Soviet Union. President Putin also expressed gratitude to Chairman Kim for his “unwavering support” in the ongoing war with Ukraine.
Putin touches on Pyongyang, says North Korea's 'heroic people' will 'confront' Russia and the West
Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un pose for a photo during the signing ceremony after bilateral talks in Pyongyang, North Korea, on June 19, 2024. (Sputnik/Kristina Kormilitsina/Kremlin via Reuters)
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“We have seen […] “Russia is desperately seeking to develop and strengthen relationships with countries that can provide what it needs to continue the war of aggression it has launched against Ukraine,” said US Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the time. said.
He added that the United States will “do everything in our power to end the assistance that countries like Iran and North Korea are providing.”
