Iran stresses it backs Vladimir Putin amid Wagner revolt in Russia

Iran supports the rule of law in the Russian Federation and considers the latest developments there an internal Russian matter, Iranian state media quoted foreign ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani as saying on Saturday.

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, in a call with his Russian counterpart, said on Saturday he was confident Russia would get through current events in the country, Iran's state media reported.

Amirabdollahian "voiced support for the rule of law in all countries, including Russia - a neighbour and a friend... and said he was confident that Russia would get through this stage," state media said in its report about the phone call with Sergei Lavrov.

The Security Council of Belarus also said on Saturday that Minsk remained an ally of Russia and that internal disputes were "a gift to the collective West."

It released the statement in response to a mutiny in Russia by the Wagner mercenary army.

Turkey reaffirms support for Putin

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan spoke by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday and urged him to act with common sense, the Turkish presidency said on Saturday, after Russian mercenary fighters began an armed mutiny overnight.

It said the two discussed recent developments in Russia and Erdogan told Putin that Turkey was ready to do its part to help bring about a peaceful solution to the situation.

Putin, who described the Wagner Group's actions as "treason" in an emergency televised address, said anyone who had taken up arms against the Russian military would be punished.

Erdogan was among the first leaders to hold a phone call with Putin after his speech on Saturday.

The Turkish presidency said the two discussed recent developments in Russia and Erdogan told Putin that Turkey was ready to do its part to help bring about a peaceful resolution.

"It was stressed during the call that no one should take it upon themselves to take action in the face of the situation in Russia," it added.

The Kremlin said in a separate statement that Erdogan had backed the Russian government's handling of the mutiny during the conversation with Putin.

Erdogan has sought to maintain strong ties with both Moscow and Kyiv since the start of the conflict in Ukraine.

NATO member Turkey has refused to join its Western allies in imposing economic sanctions on Russia, but it has also supplied arms to Ukraine and called for its sovereignty to be respected.