President Barzani, Outgoing Russian Ambassador Discuss Bilateral Ties and Regional Stability

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — President Masoud Barzani and outgoing Russian Ambassador to Iraq Elbrus Kutrashev discussed bilateral relations, regional developments and ties between Erbil and Baghdad during a farewell meeting on Wednesday.

President Barzani received Kutrashev and the Russian Consul in Erbil Maxim Rubin in Erbil’s Pirmam district according to a statement from Barzani Headquarters. The meeting marked the end of Kutrashev’s tenure as Russia’s ambassador to Iraq.

Kutrashev expressed his gratitude to President Barzani and the institutions of the Kurdistan Region for their cooperation and coordination throughout his tenure, saying their support had helped him carry out his diplomatic duties successfully.

The ambassador highlighted the longstanding historical ties between Russia and the people of Kurdistan and reaffirmed Moscow’s commitment to maintaining its relations with the Kurdistan Region. He also stressed the importance of regional stability and praised the Kurdistan Region’s leadership for its efforts to prevent it from becoming drawn into wider regional conflicts and tensions.

President Barzani, for his part, recalled significant milestones in the century-long history of relations between Russia and the people of Kurdistan. He thanked Kutrashev for his role in strengthening bilateral ties during his tenure and wished him success in his future endeavors.

The two sides also discussed the political situation and ongoing tensions in the region, as well as their possible implications for the future and stability of Iraq and the wider Middle East.

The meeting concluded with both sides expressing a positive assessment of the current relationship between the Iraqi federal government and the Kurdistan Regional Government, according to the statement.