Baghdad needs Russia to balance foreign influence in Iraq, VP Maliki

MOSCOW, Russian Federation – Iraq’s Vice President Nouri al-Maliki has told Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow that Baghdad wants Russia to play a bigger role in Iraq so that there is a balanced policy that does not allow a “foreign political entity” to impose its agenda in Iraq.

 

Maliki and Lavrov met on Monday after the Iraqi leader started an official visit to Russia, with Maliki expected to meet the Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday in Saint Petersburg.

 

Lavrov noted the fact that it is not the first time Maliki visits Russia, following his 2012 official visit in his capacity as the then Prime Minister of Iraq.

 

He said that they are open to help develop and strengthen relations between the two sides, especially economically, and in the fight against “terrorism.”

 

Maliki said that Russia wants to expand the bilateral relations and that the Russian foreign minister has praised the Baghdad Operation room, jointly run by Iraq, Iran, Syria and Russia where the member states share intelligence.

 

Maliki told the Russian FM that Baghdad wants to create a balanced policy in Iraq, “in cooperation with Russia,” so that it does not allow for “disorder” to happen whereby a “foreign political entity” may impose its agenda in the country. 

 

Maliki also showed his appreciation for the Russian role in Syria that preserved the region from a total collapse. 

 

While he celebrated the victory in Mosul against ISIS, Maliki was fearful of what may come next.

 

He called it a “new stage” in Iraq that comes after the defeat of the ISIS group, followed by the upcoming general elections in Iraq next year. 

 

“May be Iraq is prone to new political developments in light of regional interferences,” Maliki said briefly as he sat opposite the Russian FM.

 

He also said that there were some practices that threatened the “unity of Iraq’, perhaps a reference to the September 25 independence referendum to be held by the Kurdistan Region, something Maliki expressed his objections to on more than an occasion.

 

Iraq and Russia have a $4.2 billion outstanding arms deal that was signed by the then PM Maliki on a visit to Moscow in 2012.  

 

The deal was put on hold amid a corruption and bribery scandal involving senior Iraqi defense officials.