Russia: Rouhani thanks Putin for Russia's role in Iranian nuclear talks

Russian President Vladimir Putin held face to face talks with his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani on the first day of the 15th meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Ufa, Thursday. Rouhani expressed gratitude to Putin for Moscow’s role in advancing the Iranian nuclear negotiations and singled out the “personal efforts” of Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in the process. The Russian leader meanwhile emphasised that both countries have mutual "issues that require special attention," adding that he is "glad to have the opportunity" to discuss matters. Rouhani is expected to meet with the leaders of the BRICS countries along with several other world leaders who are in Ufa to attend the SCO summit.