Putin, Raisi Summit Maintains Social Distance, Marks a 'Turning Point' in Relations

Russian President Vladimir Putin with Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi at the Kremlin (AFP)
Russian President Vladimir Putin with Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi at the Kremlin (AFP)
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Putin, Raisi Summit Maintains Social Distance, Marks a 'Turning Point' in Relations

Russian President Vladimir Putin with Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi at the Kremlin (AFP)
Russian President Vladimir Putin with Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi at the Kremlin (AFP)

Russian President Vladimir Putin received at the Kremlin Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi to discuss bilateral relations, regional developments, and their strategic cooperation.

Ahead of the visit, Russian and Iranian media outlets described the visit as a turning point to boost strategic cooperation.

However, despite the media hype, the reception at the Kremlin was not up to expectations, where the protocol office arranged the meeting at a long table, unlike previous ceremonies during which Putin usually receives heads of state.

Some observers attributed the decision to maintain COVID-19 precautions, and Putin's spokesman later told the media that the seating arrangement was due to "measures of sanitary necessity."

Still, the meeting was not followed by a joint press conference, as is customary when receiving presidents, which Kremlin sources said was to respect Putin's desire to maintain distance and not participate in open events.

Nevertheless, the two presidents were keen to highlight their coordination in various fields, especially Syria.

In his opening speech, the Russian President said that Tehran and Moscow cooperate in the international arena.

"We can say that our efforts largely helped the Syrian government overcome the threats linked with international terrorism. Now both you and we are concerned about the situation that is taking shape in Afghanistan."

Putin expressed a desire to discuss these issues with Raisi and hear his position on these problems.

He thanked his Iranian counterpart for finding the time to come to Russia in these difficult pandemic times, noting that both leaders have been in constant contact since your inauguration, "but of course, videoconferences and telephone conversations cannot replace personal meetings."

Iran and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) are developing relations temporarily, under a temporary agreement, said Putin, adding: "We are doing much to create a long-term foundation for cooperation and a free trade area between Iran and our union."

Putin asked Raisi to convey his best regards to the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Raisi will address the State Duma on Thursday, which is rarely included on the agenda of visiting presidents, reflecting the importance of this trip.

He also stressed the importance of the cooperation between Iran and Russia in Syria, describing it as a "very good experience."

"We were fighting terrorism in the region, in the Syrian Arab Republic through a concerted effort. We can use this positive experience in many other areas."

The Iranian delegation delivered a document on bilateral strategic cooperation, which may determine "our future relations for the next 20 years," according to Raisi.

"We believe this document will certainly determine the long-term prospects for strategic cooperation between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Russian Federation."

Contrary to the previous analysis, Russian sources said that Moscow and Tehran would not sign the document during the current visit.

Observers believe that Moscow may be waiting for the outcome of the nuclear negotiations before taking a similar step.

Raisi asserted that Iran "will never stop progress and national development because of sanctions or threats."

The President asserted that his country is trying to lift these sanctions, noting that officials are working on different mechanisms, and the ultimate goal is to remove restrictions with their help.

Raisi expressed Iran's aspiration to develop its relations with Russia in the economy, politics, culture, science, technology, the defense and military areas, security, and aviation and space.

"We can develop a new level of cooperation in all these areas."

He also noted that both sides are working to increase the level of their cooperation in trade and the economy and to raise investment manifold.

Raisi thanked Putin for supporting Iran in becoming a full member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

"I would like to say that in the current, exceptional conditions when unilateral actions by the West, including the US, are being confronted, we can create synergy in our cooperation."

Raisi focused on the "long-term strategic path" in relations with Moscow, reflecting the priority of this issue to his team.

Tehran also wants to reassure Moscow that reaching a possible agreement on the nuclear deal does not mean Iran will turn its back on its Russian allies.

Meanwhile, Moscow announced its readiness to develop cooperation in various fields, namely the military.

Ahead of the visit, Western media discussed the prospects of Russian-Iranian military-technical cooperation. They reported that the two parties might conclude a $10 billion contract to purchase Russian military equipment.

Military observers believe that it is important for Tehran to purchase modern Russian fighters, but the issue lies in Iran's desire to pay for them through a barter system or obtain a soft Russian loan, according to experts, which they believe is possible.



Musk Calls Trump’s Tax-Cut and Spending Bill ‘a Disgusting Abomination’ 

Elon Musk looks on during a news conference with US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on May 30, 2025. (AFP)
Elon Musk looks on during a news conference with US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on May 30, 2025. (AFP)
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Musk Calls Trump’s Tax-Cut and Spending Bill ‘a Disgusting Abomination’ 

Elon Musk looks on during a news conference with US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on May 30, 2025. (AFP)
Elon Musk looks on during a news conference with US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on May 30, 2025. (AFP)

Billionaire Elon Musk plunged on Tuesday into the congressional debate over President Donald Trump's sweeping tax and spending bill, calling it a "disgusting abomination" that will increase the federal deficit.

Several fiscally conservative Republicans in the US Senate supported the views Musk expressed in social media posts, which could complicate the bill's path to passage in that chamber.

"I'm sorry, but I just can't stand it anymore," Tesla and SpaceX CEO Musk wrote in a post on his social media platform X. "This massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination."

He added: "Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong. You know it."

Musk's comments hit a nerve. Republican deficit hawks have expressed concerns about the cost of the bill, which would extend the 2017 tax cuts that were Trump's main legislative accomplishment, while boosting spending on the military and border security.

The House of Representatives passed it by one vote last month, after the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office said the measure would add $3.8 trillion to the federal government's $36.2 trillion in debt.

The Senate, also controlled by Trump's Republicans, aims to pass the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" in the next month, though senators are expected to revise the House version.

Republicans on the Senate Finance Committee, which oversees tax policy, are due to meet with Trump at the White House on Wednesday afternoon to discuss making the bill's business-related tax breaks permanent, according to Senator Steve Daines, a panel member. Analysts have warned that such a move would greatly increase the measure's cost.

Republican Senate Majority Leader John Thune said he disagreed with Musk's assessment about the cost of the bill and stood by the goal of passage by July 4.

"We have a job to do - the American people elected us to do. We have an agenda that everybody campaigned on, most notably the president of the United States, and we're going to deliver on that agenda," the South Dakota lawmaker told reporters.

Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson also dismissed Musk's complaints, telling reporters, "my friend Elon is terribly wrong."

TEST OF INFLUENCE

Musk's loud opposition to a bill that Trump has urged Republicans to pass presents a test of his political influence a week after leaving his formal role in the administration as a special government employee with the Department of Government Efficiency came to an end. As DOGE chief, he upended several federal agencies but ultimately failed to deliver the massive savings he had sought.

The richest person in the world, Musk had spent nearly $300 million to back Trump's presidential campaign and other Republicans in last year's elections. But he has said he would cut his political spending substantially while returning to his role as Tesla CEO.

The White House dismissed Tuesday's attack, just as Trump dismissed earlier Musk complaints about the legislation.

"Look, the president already knows where Elon Musk stood on this bill," spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said at a White House briefing. "It doesn't change the president's opinion. This is one big, beautiful bill, and he's sticking to it."

REPUBLICAN DISAGREEMENTS

Senate Republicans were divided about the bill even before Musk's missives. Deficit hawks are pushing for deeper spending cuts than the $1.6 trillion over a decade in the House version, while another coalition of rural-state Republicans are pushing to protect the Medicaid healthcare program for low-income Americans.

One of the hawks, Senator Mike Lee, called on party members to use the Trump bill and future spending measures to reduce the deficit.

"We must commit now to doing so, as this is what voters justifiably expect - and indeed deserve - from the GOP Congress," the Utah Republican said on X while reposting Musk's message.

Republicans have a 53-47 seat majority in the Senate and can afford to lose support from no more than three members, if they expect to pass the legislation with a tie-breaking vote from Vice President JD Vance by a July 4 deadline.

Another hardliner, Senator Ron Johnson, predicted that lawmakers would not be able to meet the deadline and secure an adequate number of cuts.

Lee and Johnson are among at least four Senate hardliners demanding that the bill be changed to restrict the growth of the debt and deficit.

The faction of party lawmakers determined to limit spending cuts to project Medicaid beneficiaries and business investments in green energy initiatives is of similar size.

"I certainly have an interest in making sure people with disabilities are not harmed. But also, there's the broad issue of how does it affect hospital reimbursements," Senator Jerry Moran told reporters.

"There's a set of my colleagues who are pushing to do more. And so, it turns on how do you get the votes to pass a bill," the Kansas Republican said.

Other Senate Republicans said lawmakers may have to look elsewhere to boost savings, including the possibility of leaving Trump's much touted tax break proposals for tips, overtime pay and Social Security benefits for later legislation.

"Those are all Democrat priorities. I'm not sure why we shouldn't be doing that in a potential bipartisan bill to create headspace for this bill," said Republican Senator Thom Tillis.