ST. PETERSBURG (Realist English). Russian President Vladimir Putin held a meeting in St. Petersburg on 27 April with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who is on his first foreign visit since the change of Supreme Leader.
The parties reaffirmed their intention to continue their strategic partnership, despite the war with the United States and Israel. Araghchi also stated that Tehran would make an “appropriate decision” regarding negotiations with Washington, taking into account its “destructive habits.”
First foreign tour since the war
Araghchi arrived in Russia after visits to Oman and Pakistan. The minister conveyed to Putin words of gratitude from the Supreme Leader and President Masoud Pezeshkian, confirming that “Iranian-Russian relations mean for us a strategic partnership at the highest level.”
“Despite everything that is happening, Iranian-Russian relations will continue to grow stronger,” Araghchi emphasized.
Putin: Iranian people are courageously fighting for sovereignty
Opening the meeting, Putin said that he had received a letter from Iran’s Supreme Leader the previous week and asked Araghchi to convey his “most sincere words of gratitude.” The Russian president stated that Russia intends to continue its strategic relations with Iran.
“We see how courageously and heroically the people of Iran are fighting for their independence, for their sovereignty,” Putin said. “Based on this courage and desire for independence, the Iranian people will, under the leadership of the new leader, go through this difficult period of trials, and peace will come.”
The Russian leader assured that Moscow “will do everything that serves your interests, serves the interests of all the peoples of the region, so that this peace is achieved as quickly as possible.”
Araghchi accused the US of stalling progress
According to a statement from the Iranian Foreign Ministry, Araghchi briefed Putin on the diplomatic process mediated by Pakistan, aimed at a complete end to the “imposed war.” The Iranian minister described the slow progress as a consequence of Washington’s “destructive habits,” including insisting on “unreasonable demands,” frequent shifts in position, the use of threatening rhetoric, and repeated breaches of commitments.
Araghchi told Putin that Tehran is reassessing its approach to diplomacy and will take an “appropriate decision regarding the current diplomatic process” in light of these factors. Earlier, according to sources, Araghchi gave Pakistani officials a list of “red lines” for subsequent communication to the US, including issues related to the nuclear program and the Strait of Hormuz.
Russia supported Iran’s sovereignty and diplomacy
Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov met on 27 April with Iranian Deputy Defense Minister Brigadier General Reza Talaei-Nik. Belousov stated that Russia supports the resolution of the conflict “exclusively through diplomatic means,” supports Iran’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and is “ready to do everything possible” to help resolve the situation.
Meeting participants
The Russian side at the meeting with Araghchi included Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Presidential Aide Yuri Ushakov, and the head of the GRU, Igor Kostyukov. The Iranian delegation was represented by Iran’s Ambassador to Russia Kazem Jalali and Deputy Foreign Minister of Iran Kazem Gharibabadi.
The meeting takes place against the backdrop of the ongoing war between the US and Israel against Iran, as well as the naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which the US imposed in response to Iran’s closure of the strait. Russia consistently advocates for de-escalation and a diplomatic solution to the conflict.