New Delhi, April 27 -- Vladimir Putin said Russia is ready to do "everything in its power" to ensure peace in the Middle East is achieved as quickly as possible, during a meeting with Iran's foreign minister, according to TASS.

Putin noted that the Iranian people are fighting "courageously and heroically" for their sovereignty and expressed hope that they would overcome the current challenges.

"We hope that the Iranian people will get through this difficult period of trials and that peace will come," he said, as cited by the Russian news agency.

Putin revealed he had received a message from Mojtaba Khamenei last week and asked Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to convey his gratitude.

"Please convey my gratitude for this message...