From a letter sent by Vladimir Putin to the presumed outgoing Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, who everyone had seemingly agreed need to go to support an inclusive government in Baghdad --
I am confident that you will continue your work in order to strengthen the state in Iraq and expanding the ties of friendship between our two countries.
I am confident that you will continue your work in order to strengthen the state in Iraq and expanding the ties of friendship between our two countries.