This week, the Kremlin stated that Russia maintains a “stable relationship of trust” with Israel and has a partnership with Iran, positioning itself to facilitate peace negotiations between the two. They also warned the US against any forms of “interference.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin has offered to act as a mediator between Israel and Iran, proposing that Iran could keep its civil nuclear program but would refrain from developing nuclear weapons. He noted, “This is a sensitive issue. We need to be very careful here, but I believe a solution is possible… perhaps it’s time for all parties to stop fighting and find common ground.”
However, this concept isn’t new and has faced challenges in the past. President Trump had previously withdrawn the US from an agreement when Iran violated its terms, allegedly using funds from the deal for negative ends.
At one point, Russia participated in a coalition to oversee Iran’s nuclear pursuits, but the situation has shifted dramatically with the war in Ukraine fostering a closer alliance between Tehran and Moscow. Iran has reportedly supplied Russia with advanced drones and missiles, which might alleviate any initial concerns Moscow had about nuclear armament.
Russia was involved in constructing Iran’s first nuclear power plant, and numerous Russian scientists work there. Putin assured the Israeli government that these experts would not exacerbate the conflict. Additionally, Iran is a participant in the BRICS organization, which Moscow established as a counterbalance to the G7.
Beyond its interest in Iran, Russia indicated its readiness to mediate following several discussions. Kremlin spokesman Yury Ushakov mentioned in a recent call with China’s President Xi Jinping that Putin has confirmed Russia’s readiness to engage in mediation efforts if necessary.
Putin’s spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, highlighted Russia’s amicable relations with both sides involved in the conflict, stating, “President Putin certainly has potential for mediation. We maintain a partner relationship with Iran and a steady relationship with Israel.” There’s a notable Russian-speaking community in Israel, mainly comprised of Jewish immigrants from the former Soviet Union after the Cold War.
Peskov also commended Trump for his past efforts toward dialogue, expressing gratitude for the attention Trump brought to finding solutions amidst the ongoing crisis.
Nonetheless, in line with typical Russian strategy, the Kremlin’s overall view of the US and Iran appeared cooler. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova cautioned against US involvement, referring to it as “intervention.”
She stated: “We want to caution Washington particularly against military involvement in this situation. Such a move would lead to dangerous consequences. Current priorities should be to de-escalate violence, achieve a ceasefire, and restore peace.” She emphasized that these actions are crucial for creating conditions conducive to getting back to negotiations and affirmed Russia’s commitment to this process.
President Trump has expressed skepticism about Russia’s motivations for getting involved in the Israel-Iran conflict. He suggested Vladimir Putin focus on Russia’s own challenges first, particularly the ongoing situation with Ukraine. Trump remarked, “I told him, ‘Maybe you should mediate Russia first before anything else.’”
In a side note, Trump has previously shared his views on the death toll in the Russia-Ukraine war, citing numbers that exceed those released by various observers. He asserted, “The reality is that many more people have died than what’s being reported.”
