On the sidelines of the International Forum in Turkmenistan's capital of Ashgabat on Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian discussed that relations with Iran are a priority for Russia and that these relations are developing successfully.

Putin clarified that the positions of Tehran and Moscow regarding international developments are very close.

The Russian leader said that “Moscow and Tehran actively cooperate with each other in the international arena and often agree on their assessments of world events."

He was quoted in the media as saying “This year, we are witnessing an increase in the volume of trade between the two countries, and it's a good trend." 

Pezeshkian hopes to finalize 'strategic partnership' agreement with Russia

On the other hand, Pezeshkian stressed that Iran’s relationship with Russia is “sincere and strategic”, adding that economic and cultural relations are developing. 

He added, “The growing process of cooperation between Iran and Russia should be accelerated according to the will of the supreme leaders of the two countries and the need to strengthen these relations.”

Iran and Russia, Pezeshkian said, have good complementary capacities that they can use to help each other.

“Our positions in the world are much closer to each other than other countries,” he added.

Pezeshkian touched on a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement between Iran and Russia, aiming to speed up the signing of the strategic cooperation document. 

“I hope we will finalize this agreement during the BRICS summit” in the Russian city of Kazan this month, he added.

Pezeshkian also touched on the developments in the region, including the Israeli atrocities against the Palestinian and Lebanese people.

He said, “The Zionist regime does not respect any international legal and humanitarian framework, and the situation in the region is critical,” adding that Western countries are not willing to continue "on a peaceful footing."