Putin’s journey to Iran exhibits Russia’s ‘desperation,’ says U.S. Institute of Peace

Russian President Vladimir Putin doubtless wished to point out that Moscow remains to be vital within the Center East by visiting Iran, however as a substitute, the journey exhibits “a little bit of desperation,” in response to John Drennan of the U.S. Institute of Peace.

The purpose was to have a dialogue with Iran and Turkey’s leaders in regards to the peace course of in Syria, mentioned Drennan, who’s a senior program officer on the USIP’s Middle for Russia and Europe.

Putin met with Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi and supreme chief Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in response to notices on the Kremlin’s web site revealed Tuesday.

“We’re strengthening our cooperation on worldwide safety and making a tangible contribution to settling the Syrian battle,” Putin mentioned.

Putin additionally met with Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Iran.

“I believe the Russians would spin the assembly as an illustration that they don’t seem to be really remoted, they’re nonetheless a serious participant within the Center East,” he instructed CNBC’s “Squawk Field Asia” on Wednesday.

“However I do assume, to [National Security Council spokesman John Kirby’s] level, it does present a little bit of desperation that the Russians are having to go to the Iranians for army help,” he added.

Earlier, Kirby instructed reporters on the White Home that the journey “exhibits the diploma to which Mr. Putin and Russia are more and more remoted.”

“Now they’ve to show to Iran for assist,” he mentioned.

Russia’s press service and data division didn’t instantly reply to CNBC’s request for remark.

The White Home mentioned Russian officers have seen weapons-capable drones in Iran that Moscow might need to purchase for its warfare in Ukraine.

Talking on the Aspen Safety Discussion board on Wednesday, CIA Director William Burns mentioned Russia’s curiosity in Iranian drones is a mirrored image of “the deficiencies of Russia’s protection trade at present, the difficulties they’re having after important losses thus far within the warfare in opposition to Ukraine and replenishing their shares as nicely.”

“Russians and Iranians want one another proper now. Each closely sanctioned international locations, each seeking to get away of political isolation as nicely,” he added.

Burns mentioned the international locations need to assist one another evade sanctions and present they’ve choices, however there are limits to how a lot they’ll cooperate. He mentioned Tehran and Moscow do not actually belief one another as a result of they’re power rivals and historic rivals.

The competitors over exporting sanctioned power is a structural subject that’s stopping deep Russia-Iran relations, USIP’s Drennan mentioned.