Sanctions against Russia are hurting the West itself including soaring oil prices and the food crisis, Russian President Vladimir Putin told Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei during a meeting held in Tehran.
"These sanctions cause damage to the West [itself] and such problems as price hikes on oil as well as the food crisis emerge as a result," said Putin, whose words are quoted on the official website of the Iranian leader, translated into Farsi.
According to the website, the Russian president also said that Russia and Iran are developing new methods of using national currencies in relations between the two countries. In addition, Putin noted Russia and Iran's joint fight against terrorists in Syria and the development of military cooperation.
On the topic of NATO expansion to the East, Putin noted that some European countries opposed the Euro-Atlantic integration of Ukraine, but changed their position under US pressure, which shows their lack of sovereignty and independence. The Russian president called the events in Ukraine a great tragedy, but stressed that "the West's behavior left us (Russia - TASS) no choice but to react".
GSV "Russia - Islamic world"
Photo: official website of the President of the Russian Federation
Based on materials from TASS