Putin to Meet Iranian President Amid Middle East Crisis

Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to meet with Iranian President Masud Pezeshkian this week, as fears escalate that the crisis in the Middle East is spiraling out of control. The meeting, scheduled to take place in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, on October 11, was announced by presidential aide Yury Ushakov on October 7.

The two leaders will also hold talks at the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, from October 22-24. This move signals continued cooperation between Russia and Iran amid the ongoing Middle East crisis.

Ushakov did not provide further details on the meetings but revealed that Putin has no plans to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding the escalating situation in the region. This absence of a planned meeting suggests Russia's diplomatic focus may be more aligned with its BRICS partnerships rather than direct involvement in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The meetings come as Israel marks the first anniversary of the October 7 attack by Hamas, which killed over 1,200 people and saw 250 taken hostage. The Israeli military has continued its air strikes on Beirut and incursion into southern Lebanon, targeting the Iran-allied Hezbollah militant group.

Hezbollah's political party holds seats in the Lebanese parliament, while the group itself is designated a terrorist organization by the United States. The European Union blacklists its armed wing but not its political party.

The conflict in Gaza rages on, with Israel opening a second front in southern Lebanon against Hezbollah. The BRICS summit will bring together members Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates.

The meetings between Putin and Pezeshkian are expected to further solidify Russia's alliances in the region, amidst the escalating tensions.