This week, the Valdai Club, a think tank famous for its contribution to shaping Russian foreign policy and backed by Mr Putin will convene its 15th annual session in Sochi. Mr Putin is expected to attend. The Valdai Club’s chairman Andrey Bystritskiy, a veteran expert on US-Russian relations and their implications for regional issues, was a distinguished guest at the Beirut Institute summit in May. It is worth recalling what he said at the time concerning Iran. According to Mr Bystritskiy, Iran was a “tactical ally” for Russia, at a time when Moscow needs a “constellation of partners”. Today, what Russia needs to do is examine Iran’s position in this constellation.
Hopefully, the conversation at this year’s session, which I will have the honor of attending, will come up with new and positive ideas about how to develop US-Russian relations and steer both nations in the direction of co-operation rather than conflict. A lot depends on which direction these relations take, especially as the Trump administration is serious not just about its presence in Syria, but also the need for Iran’s departure from the country, all while keeping the door open to a deal with Russia.
