Vladimir Putin’s arrival in Turkmenistan for a surprise summit with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian took an unexpected twist as he broke a local law by arriving in a black, bomb-proof limousine instead of the traditional white or silver vehicle mandated by former President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow. Under the Turkmen leader’s rule, white was considered a symbol of good fortune, and black cars were not welcome—a law Putin seemed more than willing to ignore, likely prioritizing his security as he navigated the country’s strict customs in his Aurus Senat.
This “axis of evil” meeting, as many are calling it, is happening against a backdrop of escalating tensions across the Middle East. As Israel strikes Hezbollah positions in Beirut, and with Russia and Iran both facing Western sanctions, the two leaders’ sudden gathering has raised eyebrows globally. Putin emphasized Russia’s deepening relationship with Iran, calling it a “priority” while affirming that both nations share “very close” views on global affairs. Meanwhile, Pezeshkian accused the U.S. and Europe of stoking chaos in the region, highlighting a united front against Western influence.
Putin’s choice of the armoured Aurus Kortezh limo—designed to withstand bomb and chemical attacks—was a telling symbol of his priorities, especially amid heightened security risks. The high-stakes summit, originally rumored to be a modest conference honoring a Turkmen poet, is now a platform for Moscow and Tehran to reaffirm their alliance. The meeting underscores Turkmenistan’s unique position; the former Soviet state has managed to maintain neutrality, balancing diplomatic ties with Russia and Iran since gaining independence in 1991. This neutrality allows Turkmenistan to benefit from both economic and security alliances while avoiding overt alignment with either country’s political ambitions.
Putin’s disregard for local laws may also reflect a pattern; just recently, he was seen almost causing an accident on a Russian highway while showcasing a Lada sedan. The Kremlin leader misjudged his lane change, prompting his security team to hit the brakes abruptly to prevent a crash, highlighting that Putin’s navigation style can be as unconventional as his foreign policy.
putin beyond all laws, even those of allies.
— Yasmina (@yasminalombaert) October 11, 2024
The Russian tyrant broke a bizarre law as he arrived for a surprise axis-of-evil Iran summit in Turkmenistan, by driving in his black limousine instead of a regulation white or silver car.
He was in Ashgabat to meet with Iranian… pic.twitter.com/2Y7yXhULXQ
As the summit unfolds, Putin and Pezeshkian’s public displays of solidarity underscore their countries’ intertwined fates amid Western sanctions and rising Middle Eastern conflicts. With the world watching closely, this unusual summit may reveal just how far the Moscow-Tehran axis is willing to go in their alliance against perceived Western adversaries.
