'Ready to do everything in our power': Putin offers to help end Iran war

Russia's President Vladimir Putin assured Iran's counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian that Russia would do everything in its power to contribute to ending the Middle East conflict during a meeting in Turkmenistan. The leaders attended a Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) summit, which began on the day of the report. Putin stated that Iran had made "real efforts to end the war" since the US-Israeli attacks began on February 28.

He also noted the "positive evolution" of Iran-Russia relations, which have strengthened since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Both nations have become increasingly reliant on each other, with Russia accused of supplying Iran with military equipment and Iran suspected of providing data to Iran for its strikes on US targets in the Middle East.

The two presidents have also met in Kyrgyzstan and via phone, with Putin expressing willingness to mediate in the Middle East conflict. Iran-US talks are reportedly at an impasse, and diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict in Ukraine have also stalled. The CIS, originally formed as a grouping of former Soviet nations, provides Russia with a platform to assert its influence in the region.

However, several member states are seeking to broaden their economic and diplomatic ties with China and Western countries.