Iranian President offers to 'help restore peace' between Russia, Ukraine

ByNews Desk- The Cradle

Ebrahim Raisi has also offered to help mediate talks between the two Slavic nations

On 27 February, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi offered to assist in the diplomatic resolution between Russia and Ukraine during a session with his cabinet.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran supports any effort that would lead to peaceful settlement of the [ongoing] conflict in Ukraine and is ready to play a role to help restore peace in any possible manner,” President Raisi said before adding: “Based on the fundamental principles of its foreign policy, the Islamic Republic of Iran opposes both hegemony and submission to hegemony, and gives its backing to the right to all nations to self-determination.”

Raisi also acknowledged the security and political concerns that Russia has with NATO and its relationship with Ukraine, stating “the Islamic Republic of Iran understands security concerns arising from several decades of NATO’s expansionism.”

During a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on 24 February, the Iranian leader said that NATO’s continued eastward expansion threatens the stability and security of independent nations. He added that NATO is a source of tension.

The Iranian president encouraged the protection of civilian lives and their properties.

Iran’s Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, discussed with Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov about the need to resolve this crisis diplomatically.

In regards to Iranian nationals living abroad in Ukraine, Amir-Abdollahian stated: “It is our serious priority to ensure security and health of Iranian citizens living in Ukraine and we expect that grounds will be prepared for their safe exit.”

Russia launched a special military operation aimed at protecting the Donetsk and Lugansk Republics in the Donbass region of Eastern Ukraine, after a televised address on 24 February.

The Donbass republics seceded from Ukraine in 2014 following a US-backed coup that saw the incumbent government overthrown in favor of a pro-NATO, anti-Russia government.

Since 2014 the Donbass republics reported regular shelling of its territory by the Ukrainian army and have consistently petitioned the Russian government to recognize the independence of their region and to offer military protection. Moscow responded in 2022 by recognizing their independence and intervening militarily.

Russian President Vladimir Putin declared that this mission in Ukraine is for “defending people who for eight years are suffering persecution and genocide by the Kiev regime.”

NATO Chief Jens Stoltenberg confirmed that there are no NATO troops inside Ukraine, declaring “we don’t have any plans to send NATO troops into Ukraine.”