Putin promised to "do everything possible" to end the war in the Middle East after meeting with the president of Iran

Putin promised to "do everything possible" to end the war in the Middle East after meeting with Iran's president (REUTERS)Russian President Vladimir Putin promised on Thursday to "do everything possible" to contribute to ending the war in the Middle East during a meeting with his Iranian counterpart, Masoud Pezeshkian, in Turkmenistan, where both will take part in a regional summit of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). The meeting took place while negotiations between Tehran and Washington remain stalled and the two governments maintain opposing positions on the conditions for reaching an agreement."We are willing to do everything in our power to contribute to resolving this situation," Putin said ahead of the summit, according to Russian news agencies. The Russian leader also highlighted Iran's "real efforts" to end the conflict, which began on February 28 with attacks by the United States and Israel against Iranian territory. Putin also underscored the "positive evolution" of relations between Moscow and Tehran, which have strengthened their diplomatic and military ties since February 2022, when Russia launched its offensive against Ukraine. The two countries, both under international sanctions, have deepened their cooperation amid confrontations with Washington and its Western allies. The meeting took place in the tourist town of Avaza, on the shores of the Caspian Sea, before the start of the Commonwealth of Independent States summit, scheduled for this Friday. The bilateral meeting added to the contacts both presidents have maintained to address the war in the Middle East and relations between their governments. Putin and Pezeshkian last met last month during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit held in Kyrgyzstan. In addition, the Russian leader spoke by phone with his Iranian counterpart on Wednesday and expressed his willingness to collaborate in mediation efforts, according to Iran's state agency IRNA. Putin also underscored the "positive evolution" of relations between Moscow and Tehran (REUTERS)The contacts between Moscow and Tehran came at a time of stalemate in the talks between Iran and the United States. Pezeshkian said this week that negotiations with Washington lacked "meaning" and questioned the US government's conduct during the diplomatic process."We are talking, but every time we negotiate with the United States, they attack again," the Iranian president said during his meeting with Putin, according to his country's state media. Despite the difficulties, Pezeshkian maintained that Tehran seeks to establish clear conditions to end the war. The Iranian leader said Iran wants to reach a "definitive framework" to end the conflict, although he accused Washington of trying to impose its conditions on other countries."If the United States insists on taking a unilateral approach, it will not be possible to reach a solution," he declared, according to reports published by Iranian state media. For his part, US President Donald Trump ruled out attacking Iran again before the US midterm elections, scheduled for November 3, and said this Thursday that Washington is holding "productive conversations" with the Islamic republic. US President Donald Trump ruled out attacking Iran again before the US midterm elections (REUTERS)Trump's statements came as Tehran demands an agreement establishing the conditions for the end of hostilities. The differences between the two governments remain one of the main obstacles to advancing toward a negotiated solution.(With information from AFP)