Also available in Persian — نسخه فارسی EN فا
❓ Unknown

President Putin Had Recommended to Saddam to Step Down - April 12, 2003

Feb 10, 2026 February 10, 2026 1 min read 📰 VOA Persian
📋 Key Takeaway

In March 2003, just days before the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, Russian President Vladimir Putin's envoy, Yevgeny Primakov, advised Saddam Hussein to resign to prevent heavy casualties. Saddam listened but did not respond, highlighting the tension and impending conflict in the region.

🔍 Quick Context Guide
💡 Bottom Line: Primakov's advice to Saddam illustrates the last-minute efforts by Russia to avert conflict, reflecting the intricate geopolitical landscape of the region.

👥 Key Players

Vladimir Putin MENTIONED
President of Russia
"As a major global power, Russia's stance on Middle Eastern conflicts influences geopolitical dynamics, including Iran's position."
Yevgeny Primakov MENTIONED
Former Prime Minister of Russia and envoy
"His role as an intermediary highlights Russia's attempts to influence events in Iraq and its relationships with Middle Eastern leaders."
Saddam Hussein MENTIONED
President of Iraq
"His decisions directly impacted regional stability and U.S. foreign policy, which in turn affects Iran's strategic calculations."

📰 What Happened

In March 2003, just before the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, Russian envoy Yevgeny Primakov advised Saddam Hussein to resign to avoid heavy casualties. Saddam listened but did not respond, indicating his reluctance to step down amidst rising tensions.

  • Primakov visited Iraq on March 17, 2003, just days before the invasion.
  • Saddam Hussein did not respond to the advice, reflecting his determination to remain in power.

💡 Why It Matters

🇮🇷 For Iran: Iran viewed the U.S. invasion of Iraq as a threat but also saw opportunities to expand its influence in the region following Saddam's fall.
🌍 Regional: The advice to Saddam highlights the complex interplay of power dynamics in the Middle East, influencing relationships among regional actors.
🌐 International: This event underscores Russia's role in Middle Eastern affairs and its opposition to U.S. intervention, impacting global geopolitical strategies.

📚 Background

The U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003 marked a significant shift in Middle Eastern geopolitics, leading to long-term instability and influencing Iran's regional ambitions.

U.S.-Iran relations Middle Eastern geopolitics
📡 Source: NEUTRAL
📊 Confidence: 70%
The information comes from a Kremlin envoy, which may reflect official Russian perspectives but should be cross-referenced with other sources for a comprehensive view.

A Kremlin envoy stated that a few days before the start of the U.S.-led war, he advised Saddam Hussein to step down from power. Primakov mentioned that following a request from Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, he traveled to Iraq on March 17. He said that during this visit, he advised Saddam that if he loves Iraq and the Iraqi people and wants to prevent heavy casualties, he should resign from power. Mr. Primakov, the former Prime Minister of Russia, noted that Saddam listened carefully to his words but did not respond. Mr. Primakov stated that Saddam patted him on the shoulder several times and then left the room. The Russian envoy had also met with Saddam Hussein in February prior to this meeting.

🌐

Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →

Translation confidence: 85%

📰 Related Coverage

⚖️ Independent Platform — Artesh.com is not affiliated with any government, military, or political organization. Editorial Policy →