On Monday, Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Masrour Barzani received Elbrus Kutrashev, Russia’s Ambassador to Iraq.

During the meeting, which was also attended by Maxim Rubin, Russia’s Consul General in the Kurdistan Region, both officials reaffirmed the importance of further strengthening relations between the Kurdistan Region and Russia.

They also discussed recent developments in Iraq and the wider region.

Ambassador Kutrashev noted that the Kurdistan Region is an important regional actor for the Russian government and leadership, and expressed his country’s desire to further develop ties with the Kurdistan Region.

Russia has historically maintained a strong relationship with the Kurdistan Region. Russia’s Consulate General in Erbil was opened on November 28, 2007.

Also on Monday, President Masoud Barzani received Ambassador Kutrashev.

Russia’s Ambassador to Iraq commended the position of the Kurdistan Region’s political leadership and its commitment to restraint amid regional conflict, in a reference to the recent war between the United States and Iran.

The meeting also addressed the situation in Syria, relations between the Kurdistan Regional Government and the new Iraqi federal government, and the political process in the Kurdistan Region. Both officials also emphasized the importance of strengthening ties between the Kurdistan Region and Russia.