In an exclusive interview with IRNA, Palishok said that the officials of cultural issues of the two countries should not let that happen and should even have plans to expand cultural and scientific relations in the temporary period of the pandemic.

Saying that Russia is ready to play its role in that matter, he said that cultural relations, e.g., webinars, between Iran and Russia should go on by observing the health protocols.

The Russian professor said Iranian and Russian movies can participate in the festivals of the two countries.

The prominent professor of Oriental studies said that Iran and Russia need to know each other better and this could help in the expansion of relations, adding that, unfortunately, the information Iranians and Russians obtain about each other is through the Western media, which is not precise, adding that Western media follow their own governments.

Iran and Russia should learn to get their information from each other’s media outlets and be careful that misinformation is not released, he said.

Palishok said that Iran and Russia have world-renowned figures, such as Hafez and Pushkin; therefore, cultural cooperation should be central for them, while professors and literary figures of the two countries should preserve relations so that the achievements gained so far will not be consigned to oblivion.