“I think that without them it would be impossible”, Putin said in comments carried by Russian news agencies. The refugee crisis in Europe and the intensified threat of Islamic State terror attacks there have recently forced the United States and Europe to accept the need to involve Russian Federation and Iran in ending the Syrian civil war. Khamenei said the USA had a “long-term plan” to dominate Syria and the Middle East which would “disadvantage all countries, especially Iran and Russia”.
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Putin concurred, according to the ayatollah’s office. “It’s somewhat of a continuation of a pattern that we’ve seen from the supreme leader in terms of… over-the-top rhetoric about the United States and our intentions”, US State Department spokesman Mark Toner said.
To that end, Putin formally ordered the resumption of nuclear technology exports to the country, and announced that Russian Federation would help Iran export its enriched uranium out of the country – long considered a possible resolution to the fate of the internationally sanctioned stockpile.
While it said it was targeting Islamic State militants, most of its airstrikes were against other groups fighting the Syrian government.
His remarks were broadcast on Russian state television.
As the meeting ended, Putin gave Khamenei one of the oldest Quran manuscripts as a gift. “This should be decided only by the Syrian people”. The vote would determine a new parliament, though not necessarily a new president.
U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron called Monday on British lawmakers to approve bombing Islamic State targets in Syria, shoring up support for Mr. Hollande’s diplomatic push. He stressed: “The Americans always try to make their rivals adopt a passive position, but you have foiled this policy”. Once those negotiations begin, a ceasefire is to take effect, according to the agreement reached in Vienna.
He reiterated that Moscow’s decisions and measures on the issue of Syria have fortified Russia’s and Mr. Putin’s reputation in the region and in the world.
It also seemingly removed the last remaining barrier to the Russian leader’s long-awaited visit to Tehran, albeit not within the framework of an official visit, but as part of the third summit of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum. But during a separate meeting with Khamenei, Syria was the dominant topic. “Iran is ready to play a bigger role in the supply of gas”.
Mr. Putin has argued that the best way to fight terrorism in Syria is to shore up Mr. Assad’s forces and preserve what’s left of the country’s government institutions. Russian Federation is also emerging as a long-term arms partner for Iran, despite the countries having a complicated history over territory, oil, commerce and communism.
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Referring to Latin America, he added, “America viewed this region as its backyard, but Venezuela’s unique move managed to turn this region into an independent spot with [its own] identity”.
