Iran signals to Russia it is time to end Ukraine war as it signs strategic deal

Presidents Masoud Pezeshkian and Vladimir Putin sign wide-ranging treaty in Moscow

Iran told its ally Russia on Friday that it supports a “political settlement” to the war in Ukraine after almost three years of fighting.

Speaking at the Kremlin next to Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said “engaging in combat and war” was “not a solution to the problem”. He said Tehran would “welcome a political settlement between Russia and Ukraine”.

The two leaders signed a broad co-operation treaty in Moscow as they announced plans to boost trade and energy ties in the face of western sanctions, which are partly linked to the war in Ukraine. Mr Putin said the pact will give “additional momentum to almost all areas of co-operation”.

The Kremlin said the treaty will cover “military-political ties”, as Ukraine's allies accuse Iran of supplying Russia with drones and missiles for the war effort. Tehran has admitted providing drones but said it was before the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

Mr Pezeshkian also urged the West to acknowledge others' “security concerns”, a common Kremlin phrase for Moscow's opposition to Nato expansion. The text of the Russia and Iran agreement would include consultation and co-operation to deal with military and security threats, and they would take part in joint military exercises on both their territories and beyond.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed any link with Monday's inauguration of US president-elect Donald Trump, saying the signing was planned long ago. Mr Trump has called for a swift end to the conflict in Ukraine and is expected to take a tougher line on Iran.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said he wants to make 2025 the “year of a just peace” in which Russian troops fully withdraw. Moscow says it is open to talks but that they must reflect the new “realities on the ground” after its troops occupied and annexed large parts of Ukraine.

Mr Pezeshkian, who was meeting Mr Putin for the third time since coming to power in July, said Iran considers its relations with Russia as “vital, sensitive and strategic”. The two countries “share common and close views” on international issues and “confronting US hegemony”, Iranian state media said.

The two countries are also discussing the possible supply of Russian gas, Mr Putin said, as Moscow seeks new buyers after losing its dominance of the European market. Mr Putin said supplies could eventually reach 55 billion cubic metres per year, the same capacity as the dormant Nord Stream pipelines to Europe, but would start with smaller volumes.