Putin Sends Nowruz Greetings to Leaders of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan & Iran

Russian President Vladimir Putin extended Nowruz greetings to the leaders of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Iran on Thursday, March 21st, according to a statement released by the Kremlin.

The messages to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, Chairman of Turkmenistan’s Halk Maslahaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev highlighted the “high level of bilateral relations” between Russia and each of the Central Asian and Caucasus nations, the Kremlin reported. Putin expressed confidence in the continued development of “mutually beneficial, multifaceted ties” with these countries.

In a separate message to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Putin affirmed Moscow’s continued support for Tehran, stating Russia remained a “loyal friend and reliable partner” to Iran “during this difficult time,” as reported by Annahar.

The Nowruz greetings come as Iran faces ongoing regional and international challenges. Putin’s message to the Iranian people specifically wished them “strength in overcoming these severe trials.”

Nowruz, the Persian New Year, is celebrated on the spring equinox, March 21st, across Central Asia, the Middle East, and the Caucasus. The holiday signifies a new day and is marked by traditions symbolizing renewal and hope.

President Aliyev recently congratulated President Tokayev on the completion of a referendum in Kazakhstan on March 16th, according to a report from Report.az, signaling continued engagement between the two leaders despite the Nowruz greetings focused on broader regional relations.