President of Russia Vladimir Putin in Turkmenistan

Vladimir Putin with President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov
Photo: Kremlin.ru

Following the plenary session of the International Forum Peace and Trust: Unity of Goals for a Sustainable Future, Vladimir Putin met with President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov, Kremlin informs.

Ashgabat, December 12, 2025

President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov: President Putin,

Welcome to Turkmenistan. We are truly delighted to host you here in Ashgabat today.

We extend our sincere gratitude for accepting our invitation to this forum, which celebrates the International Year of Peace and Trust, observes International Neutrality Day, and marks the 30th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s permanent neutrality.

Your participation in this international forum is a powerful demonstration of your commitment to strengthening the foundations of peace, trust, and mutual understanding. We are deeply grateful for your active participation in this international forum dedicated to peace and trust.

It is both a great honour and a privilege to welcome you on Turkmen soil.

Welcome!

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Thank you very much, Mr Berdimuhamedov, and first of all, for the kind invitation.

Please accept my heartfelt congratulations on the today’s event and the 30th anniversary of neutrality. This is a significant event for Turkmenistan – one made possible by Turkmenistan’s initiative, which led the United Nations to adopting a corresponding resolution on neutrality.

This policy of neutrality is fully justified. As I noted in my public remarks today, it plays a vital role in stabilising the region and creates favourable conditions for developing bilateral relations with many countries – including, I am pleased to say, the strong partnership between Russia and Turkmenistan.

Our relations continue to advance successfully in a spirit of friendship and neighbourliness. Much has already been accomplished across all areas of our cooperation, and I am confident that even more can be achieved, given our many mutual interests.

Our economic ties are becoming increasingly diversified. Trust continues to grow in the political sphere. And we work together closely and effectively on all international platforms. We are grateful to you for the trust that has been established between us in all these areas.

Later, we will have an opportunity to discuss briefly what steps we might take in the near future. And of course, we very much look forward to welcoming you in St Petersburg, as agreed, at the end of this month.

Meeting with President of Iran Masoud Pezeshkian

Meeting with President of Iran Masoud Pezeshkian
Photo: Kremlin.ru

On the sidelines of the forum, President Vladimir Putin met with President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Masoud Pezeshkian, Kremlin informs.

Ashgabat, December 12, 2025

President of Russia Vladimir Putin:

Mr President, I am very glad to see you.

We meet regularly, and earlier this year we not only held talks but also signed an important and comprehensive agreement on our strategic partnership.

Before we begin, I would like to ask you to convey my sincere wishes for good health and wellbeing to the Supreme Leader of Iran, Mr Ali Khamenei.

I would also like to note that relations between our countries are progressing very constructively. Last year, our bilateral trade grew by 13 percent, and in the first three quarters of this year, it has risen by an additional 8 percent.

We continue to advance our major joint projects, including the Bushehr nuclear power plant and key infrastructure initiatives such as the North–South transport corridor. We are also exploring opportunities for cooperation in the gas and electricity sectors. Significant joint work is underway in agriculture as well.

And, of course, we maintain close coordination on all key international issues, including all matters concerning the Iranian nuclear programme. You are aware of our position: we support Iran at the United Nations, and our foreign ministers remain in constant contact.

I am very pleased to have this opportunity to meet with you on the sidelines of today’s events.

President of Iran Masoud Pezeshkian (retranslated): I am very pleased to meet with you again.

I would like to thank you for supporting our political positions on the international stage.

As set out in our comprehensive strategic document, we are committed to implementing everything we have agreed.

Regarding the Astara-Rasht railway, I would like to inform you that we have already completed around 100 to 110 kilometres, and we plan to finish the entire project by the end of the year.

Vladimir Putin: 93 kilometres.

Masoud Pezeshkian: Over 100 kilometres – 106, to be precise. I monitor this issue on a weekly basis.

Vladimir Putin: Good.

Meeting with President of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Vladimir Putin with President of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan
Photo: Kremlin.ru

Vladimir Putin met with President of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the sidelines of the Peace and Trust: Unity of Goals for a Sustainable Future International Forum, Kremlin informs.

Ashgabat, December 12, 2025

The meeting between Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan began with expanded talks involving members of their respective delegations.

It was noted that relations between Russia and Turkiye are developing steadily across all areas. The comprehensive and diversified nature of Russian-Turkish cooperation, particularly in trade and the economy, allows to withstand international challenges and pressure from third countries.

A number of major joint projects remain on the agenda, foremost among them the continued construction of the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant.

A detailed discussion on Ukrainian, regional, and international issues also took place. Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed European attempts to seize Russian assets, and the President of Russia reiterated his well-known assessment of these efforts. The parties agreed that such ill-considered actions by European states would effectively lead to the collapse of the Bretton Woods system and the underlying principles of the international financial system.

Russian-Turkish talks continued in a restricted format. Prime Minister of Pakistan Shahbaz Sharif later joined the meeting.

Meeting with President of Iraq Abdul Latif Rashid

Vladimir Putin with President of Iraq Abdul Latif Rashid.
Photo: Kremlin.ru

Vladimir Putin held a meeting in Ashgabat with President of the Republic of Iraq Abdul Latif Rashid, Kremlin informs.

Ashgabat, December 12, 2025

President of Iraq Abdul Latif Rashid (retranslated): Mr President, I am delighted to see you.

As you know, relations between Iraq and the Soviet Union, and later between Iraq and Russia, are long-standing. We share a rich history of cooperation across a wide range of areas – industry, the economy, trade, and humanitarian affairs.

A large number of Iraqi engineers have completed their training at Russian universities. The number of visits between our countries is also increasing.

We have now reached a stage where additional efforts must be made to give new impetus to these relations and interactions.

As you are aware, major developments are taking place in the Middle East. I am referring to the challenges many countries in the region are facing in political and security matters. Therefore, we advocate strengthening political coordination between our two states.

Mr President, we are also in need of the technologies that are rapidly advancing in the Russian Federation. We seek your support in this area, particularly in mechanical engineering, infrastructure development, and agriculture, areas in which previously we used to cooperate in. We need even deeper engagement with your country.

If possible, I would like to visit the Russian Federation and meet with you. I would then take along a large delegation, including ministers and other representatives of Iraqi society.

Vladimir Putin: Mr President!

We have already discussed this matter. You have a standing invitation to visit Russia, and we will be glad to welcome you at any time convenient for you. We will coordinate this through the Foreign Ministry.

I fully agree with you: our relations are deep and long-standing. And throughout their entire history, there has never been a dark moment.

Despite all the turbulent events in the region and in your country, we have, curious as it may appear, always maintained very good relations. They remain so today. In general, we enjoy positive economic cooperation. Many of our companies are working with you and are showing interest in further collaboration.

Our relations are diversifying and becoming more diversified, and we are set to continue working together in this direction.

I also agree with you that the situation in the region requires our constant consultations [and our close attention]. I want to emphasise that we have always supported Iraq’s territorial integrity and the Iraqi leadership’s efforts to stabilise [the situation]. Rest assured, this position is fundamental for us.

Let me conclude by returning to what I have said at the beginning: we are pleased to welcome you to Russia. I want to reiterate that this invitation is official.

We can also always stay in touch by phone. Thus we will maintain contact.

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