A high-stakes diplomatic encounter in St Petersburg underscored the shifting alliances in the Middle East as Vladimir Putin met with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi amid stalled negotiations with Washington. The talks, held against the backdrop of a fragile ceasefire and faltering US-Iran diplomacy, saw Putin publicly laud the Iranian people for their “brave and heroic” defence of sovereignty and pledge that Moscow would do “everything” possible to support peace efforts and protect Tehran’s interests.