MOSCOW, Russia — Kurdish PM Nechirvan Barzani met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday to discuss strengthening bilateral economic and political ties. The KRG delegation in Moscow also attended a Victory Day parade.
The two discussed “historic relations between the people of Russia and Kurdistan over the years and they discussed development of these relations now and in the future,” read a KRG statement on the meeting.
“President Putin expressed his support for the people of Kurdistan and confirmed the development of relations in all fields, especially economic, social and energy,” the statement continued.
Nechirvan Barzani “thanked President Putin for the invitation and confirmed that the Kurdistan Region welcomes any step which leads to development of relations between Kurdistan Region and Russia.”
He also promised “full support to energy projects and investment of Russia in the Kurdistan Region.”
The Kremlin has not immediately issued a readout of their meeting, but acting Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov described their meeting to TASS as a "brief talk."
Safeen Dizayee, the KRG’s spokesperson said the meeting was a promising message “psychologically” for the people of Kurdistan.
Kurdish-Russian relations go back to 1947, when Nechirvan Barzani's grandfather Mullah Mustafa Barzani led a march of 500 Peshmerga from Mahabad to the Soviet Union.
Russian businessman Igor Sechin told Rudaw he was "pleased" to receive the Kurdistan Regional Government delegation on the 73rd anniversary of Victory Day, as the KRG has announced an scheduled meeting between Kurdish PM Nechirvan Barzani and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Sechin also said that the KRG delegation's presence at the parade was welcomed.
The CEO of Russian energy giant Rosneft said they have many joint endeavors, including the development of infrastructure in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.
He promised to continue to work together to develop the relations.
The streets of Moscow were filled with more than 12,500 Russian military forces, overseen by Putin.
The parade at Red Square marks 73 years since the Soviet Union and its allies defeated Nazi Germany to bring World War II to an end.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and acting Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu (left) take part in a wreath laying ceremony marking the 73rd anniversary of the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany during World War II on May 9, 2018 at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier by the Kremlin wall in Moscow. Photo: Yuri Kadobnov | AFP
The Kurdish premier's visit comes just before Iraqis head to the polls on Saturday to elect a new parliament and form a new government.
Barzani is deputy head of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), which currently holds the most seats among Kurdish parties in the Iraqi parliament.
Kurdistan's Ministry of Natural Resources signed a contract with Rosneft for the exploration of oil, commerce and production of hydrocarbons in June 2017.
Iraq’s powerful Dawa Party objected to the deal, saying it needed to be further studied.
Rosneft has continued to do business in the Kurdistan Region.
Last updated at 10:27 p.m.
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