In a Thursday telephone conversation with his Iranian counterpart, Hassan Rouhani, the Russian leader rejected setting preconditions for Iran’s participation in the meeting, known as Geneva II Conference, as “unconstructive.”
Putin also stressed that Iran, as an influential country in the Middle East, must attend the Geneva II talks, expressing hope that Moscow can persuade its partners over Iran’s presence in the international event.
The Iranian president, for his part, said the upcoming peace conference should focus on finding a “real resolution” to the deadly turmoil in Syria instead of putting up a “show of negotiations.”
Rouhani also warned that no “transregional” meeting could settle the Syria crisis if it leaves out “influential” participants.”
Russia, Syria, and the UN have underlined the necessity for Tehran’s presence in the international meeting on Syria, while the US and the so-called Syria opposition are against Iran’s participation in the negotiations.
The two presidents also exchanged views on the interim nuclear deal signed between Tehran and the Sextet of world powers – Russia, China, the US, Britain, France and Germany – in Geneva on November 24, 2013.
Putin stressed that Tehran’s “constructive role” greatly contributed to the signing of the Geneva deal, which is aimed at setting the stage for the full resolution of the West’s decade-old nuclear standoff with Iran.
Rouhani also said Moscow’s “positive” role would pave the way for achieving a final agreement on the nuclear standoff.