Ayatollah Khamenei, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, met Monday afternoon with Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia. Speaking at the meeting, His Eminence welcomed an increase in bilateral, regional and international cooperation with Russia and praised the presence of Moscow in regional – particularly Syrian – events, further adding: “America’s long-term plot for the region is to the disadvantage of all nations and countries - particularly Iran and Russia - and therefore, this plot should be foiled in an intelligent way and with closer interactions.”
In this meeting which lasted approximately two hours, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution described Mr. Putin as an outstanding personality in today’s world and expressed his thanks for the Russian efforts on the nuclear issue. He added: “This matter has come to an end, but we do not trust the Americans at all and we are observing, with open eyes, the behavior and performance of the American government on this matter.”
Photos: Putin offered an old Quran manuscript to Ayatollah Khamenei
Ayatollah Khamenei referred to the seriousness of Mr. Putin and officials of the Islamic Republic of Iran in developing their bilateral relations, saying: “The volume of cooperation – including on economic matters – can increase much more than the present time.”
The Americans always try to make their rivals adopt a passive position, but you have foiled this policy.
His Eminence pointed to the close relations between Tehran and Moscow in political-security arenas and described the positions of the President of Russia – particularly during the last one and a half years – as very good and innovative. He stressed: “The Americans always try to make their rivals adopt a passive position, but you have foiled this policy.”
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. He added: “With a long-term plan and by dominating Syria and then extending their domination to the whole region, the Americans are trying to fill the gap left by a lack of domination over West Asia. This plot is a threat for all nations and countries particularly for Russia and Iran.”
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution stressed: “On the issue of Syria, the Americans and their cohorts are after attaining their goals in the arena of politics and at the negotiating table because they could not attain them in the military arena. Therefore, this should be prevented in an intelligent manner and by adopting an active position.”
Ayatollah Khamenei described the Americans’ insistence on the overthrow of Bashar Assad – the legally elected president of the people of Syria – as one of the weak policies of Washington, saying: “In a national and public election, the President of Syria won the votes of the majority of the people with different political, religious and ethnic outlooks and America does not have the right to ignore the votes and the choice of the people of Syria. Any solution for Syria should be made with the full knowledge and agreement of the people and officials of that country.”
Americans’ direct and indirect assistance to terrorist groups such as DAESH is another glaring weak point in American policies.
His Eminence mentioned that the Americans’ direct and indirect assistance to terrorist groups such as DAESH is another glaring weak point in American policies, stating: “Cooperating with countries that are disreputable and infamous in the eyes of public opinion in the region and in the world shows that the Americans do not have an honorable diplomacy. For this reason, apart from the nuclear issue – for which there were clear reasons – we have not conducted and will not conduct bilateral negotiations with the Americans on any issue, either on the issue of Syria or any other issue.”
He described finding a correct solution for the issue of Syria as very important and influential for the future of the region, reiterating: “If those terrorists who are committing these crimes in Syria are not suppressed, the scope of their destructive activities will extend to Central Asia and other regions.”
Pointing to the valuable experiences of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution and expressing joy at meeting him, Vladimir Putin said: “The rate of developing relations between the two countries – including in the arena of advanced technologies and aerospace - has accelerated and we are very pleased that we are cooperating, in a very active way, with the Islamic Republic of Iran on the issue of security and resolving regional and global crises.”
Putin: We consider you as a trustworthy and reliable ally in the region and in the world.
The President of Russia described the Islamic Republic of Iran as an independent and powerful country with bright future horizons, adding: “We consider you as a trustworthy and reliable ally in the region and in the world. Unlike some others, we have pledged to never stab our partners in the back and act against our friends behind the scenes and to reach an agreement – through negotiations – if we have differences of opinion with them.”
Putin stated that the positions of the two countries on the issue of Syria are very close to each other. He reiterated: “We, too, stress that resolving the issue of Syria is only possible through politics and by accepting the votes of the people of that country and the wishes of all Syrian ethnicities and groups. No one has the right to impose their opinion on the people of Syria and to make decisions for them about the structure of the government and about the fate of the President of that country.”
The President of Russia stressed: “As you mentioned, the Americans want to attain their goals at the negotiating table because they could not attain them in the arena of Syrian domestic conflicts and we are vigilant about this matter.”
He stated that Russia will continue attacking the terrorists in Syria and described the cooperation and consultation between Tehran and Russia over the issue of Syria as completely necessary, further saying: “Those who claim to advocate democracy in the world cannot oppose elections in Syria.”
At the end of the meeting, Vladimir Putin presented one of the oldest copies of the Holy Quran as a very valuable gift to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution and the Leader thanked him for this gift.
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