Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu began a working visit to Iraq on Sept. 16 amid regional tension. Shoigu met with Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid in Baghdad, where the leaders discussed the need to maintain dialogue between the two countries. Shoigu also met with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Al-Sudani. Discussions centered on bilateral cooperation and the crisis in the region.
“Against the backdrop of the deteriorating situation in the sphere of international security, I am convinced of the need to maintain a dynamic dialogue between our countries through the Security Councils,” Shoigu said in comments reported by Sputnik.
“The result was that Doha suspended its mediation efforts in the Palestinian-Israeli standoff. The architecture of the negotiations was destroyed,” Shoigu said, calling for an end to the “unprecedented bloodshed in the Gaza Strip.”
“The situation in the Middle East is extremely difficult. The Iranian-Israeli confrontation, which threatens the region with a new full-fledged war, has seriously escalated,” Shoigu said during a meeting with Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid. “The escalation of tensions in Syria, Lebanon, Yemen is also alarming,” the Russian official added. “But first of all, the unprecedented bloodshed in the Gaza Strip needs to be stopped.”
Shoigu revealed that Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the convening of an international security forum in Russia to be held on May 26-29, 2026. This has been an annual event since 2010 with invitations sent out to 150 nations and 20 international organizations. Shoigu discussed with the Iraqi President arrangements for the first Russian-Arab summit on Oct. 15.
“I’m convinced that the upcoming top-level meeting will become an important event in global politics, which will demonstrate the level of Russian-Arab cooperation and give it a new impetus,” said Shoigu.
Shoigu also met with Iraqi Defense Minister Thabit Al-Abbasi, at which he said: “We are ready to cooperate in all areas, including the provision of advanced weapons and military equipment. We are ready to provide the Iraqi government with the most advanced Russian-made weapons and military equipment, which have demonstrated their tactical and technical capabilities in actual combat situations.”
