Putin sent troops into Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, amid Kyiv’s bid to join NATO that he described as a “red line” for Moscow.

Putin praised the deal as a "real breakthrough, creating conditions for the stable and sustainable development of Russia, Iran and the entire region." He said the amount of trade and economic ...

While the cooperation pact signed on Friday signals a deepening partnership, it does not include a mutual defence clause or constitute the formation of a formal alliance, unlike the treaty Russia ...