Putin, Pezeshkian Talk ‘Peace’ in Turkmenistan While Fueling War in Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin pledged support for Tehran and offered to help resolve its conflict with the US during talks with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in Turkmenistan on Thursday, Oct. 8 – reaffirming a strategic partnership that has helped sustain Moscow’s war against Ukraine. The two leaders met in Avaza, on the Caspian Sea coast, ahead of Friday’s Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) summit. Both governments have been strengthening political, military and economic cooperation amid extensive Western sanctions.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. Pezeshkian used the meeting to criticize Washington’s foreign policy, thank Moscow for its diplomatic support and reveal that Tehran was preparing revised proposals for ending its conflict with the US. Putin plays peacemaker for Tehran Putin opened the meeting by praising bilateral relations under the comprehensive strategic partnership agreement signed in January 2025. He portrayed Iran as seeking peace rather than bearing responsibility for the regional conflict. “We know that Iran is making genuine efforts to end the conflict that erupted in the region through no fault of its own – not Iran’s fault,” Putin said. He added that Tehran had put forward new proposals for a peaceful settlement and offered Moscow’s assistance. “For our part, we are ready to do everything within our power to help you resolve this situation,” Putin told Pezeshkian. Other Topics of Interest Budanov Heads to US With Ukrainian Negotiating Team for ‘Important Meetings,’ European Leaders Set to Join Ukraine’s negotiating team is scheduled to meet with US President Donald Trump’s special envoys on Oct.9-10. Pezeshkian challenges Washington, details US backchannels Pezeshkian responded by praising Moscow and criticizing what he described as Washington’s attempts to dictate global policy. “The United States is now trying to dictate its views to countries around the world,” Pezeshkian said, arguing that Russia and Iran shared a commitment to resisting unilateralism. The Iranian president thanked Putin for Moscow’s diplomatic backing, particularly at the United Nations. “Thanks to your assistance, they have been unable to impose their unilateral approach on us,” he said. Pezeshkian also revealed that indirect diplomatic exchanges between Tehran and Washington were continuing through intermediaries. “We have once again revised the American proposal, and once that process is finalized, we will communicate the results,” he said. He maintained that Tehran had never abandoned negotiations, even when military attacks occurred during diplomatic discussions. Iranian drones and missiles – the cost for Ukraine For Ukraine, the Avaza meeting underscored the security consequences of Russia’s military partnership with Iran. Since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022, Iranian-designed Shahed attack drones have become a principal weapon in Russia’s repeated strikes against Ukrainian cities and energy infrastructure. Moscow initially relied on Iranian drone supplies before establishing domestic production of Iranian-designed systems, enabling Russian forces to expand the scale and frequency of their attacks. Western governments have also reported Iranian transfers of short-range ballistic missiles to Russia, raising concerns about further military cooperation. The relationship extends beyond weapons deliveries. Russia’s extensive battlefield experience in Ukraine, particularly in drone technology and electronic warfare, has raised concerns that military expertise could flow back to Tehran. Ukrainian officials have repeatedly warned about the wider consequences of military cooperation between Moscow and Tehran. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization, reporting since 1995. Its international reach – 90% of readers are outside of Ukraine – make it truly Ukraine’s global voice.