Latest news with #Kremlin.ru
Memri
18-07-2025
- Politics
- Memri
The Moscow Times: The Kremlin's Political Influence In Iran, And In The Middle East As A Whole, Is Reaching Zero
On July 14, 2025, The Moscow Times published an article stating that the Kremlin's political influence in Iran, and in the Middle East as a whole, is reaching zero. The article concluded that Russia has no leverage over the regime of the Islamic Republic of Iran and that there is no chance that mediation attempts will be perceived in Tehran and other capitals of the world as potentially effective. Vladimir Putin held talks in the Kremlin with President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Masoud Pezeshkian, who arrived in Russia on an official visit, on January 17, 2025. (Source: Following are excerpts of The Moscow Times's article:[1] "Iranians Don't Trust Russia" "Reading the news, one might have the impression that Russia plays some important role in rectifying the problems of Iran's relations with the outside world. "Last week, French President Emmanuel Macron announced his intention to maintain contacts with Putin for the sake of resolving the Iranian situation. U.S. President Donald Trump discussed the Iranian issue with Putin. Iranian President Pezeshkian also came to Moscow, however no specific results of his visits were reported. "All these messages and contacts, nonetheless, prompt an unbiased observer to suspect the participants of such actions of wishful thinking. Russia's real capabilities in Iran leave much to be desired. "The Kremlin's political influence in Iran, and in the Middle East as a whole, is reaching zero, and Tehran is no longer shy about discussing this openly... "Iranian leaders believe that Moscow betrayed Iran's interests in Syria when it refused to support President Assad's regime. They blame Russia for breaking its promises to supply modern fighter jets and air defense systems to Iran and never tire of reminding how Russia supported anti-Iranian sanctions at the UN. Iranians associate plans to restore their military potential after 12-days-long Israeli airstrikes not with Russia, but with China. "Furthermore, public opinion in Iran has long been motivated by mistrust of the attempts of the 'northern neighbor' [Russia], which they still cannot forgive for the seizure of Iranian lands under the 19th century Gulistan and Turkmenchay treaties,[2] to create Soviet republics on Iranian territory back in the 1920s and after World War II... Iranians don't trust Russia, and the war criminals from the Kremlin cannot claim the role of mediator in any political settlement." "Russia Has No Leverages Over The Regime Of The Islamic Republic Of Iran" "Hypothetically speaking, Russia's involvement in the Iranian economy could be perceived as a factor of influence, however even in this area we are too dealing not with the dynamic development of trade ties and the implementation of real projects, but with a selection of good wishes that politicians and pro-government media reiterate from year to year. "According to official data, trade turnover between the two countries is gradually growing and reached $4.8 billion a year in 2024. But this is half as much as Russia's trade with the United Arab Emirates and more than 10 times less than that with Turkey. In its turn, Iran's [trade] turnover with Turkey is two and a half times higher than that with Russia. "When the head of the Iran-Russia Joint Chamber of Commerce, Hadi Tizhoush Taban, said last year that Russia had become the largest foreign investor in Iran, it was not an evidence of large investments on part of Russian companies in his country, but an evidence of the miniscule volumes of investments from other states due to international sanctions. Back then, Taban referred to the fact that the Russian side invested $2.7 billion SD in two oil projects, which constituted 45 percent of all foreign investments. In fact, these were Lukoil's[3] expenditures on long-standing projects that were abandoned by the Russian company when Iran became targeted by sanctions. "The many-times reiterated statements that Russia purportedly plans to invest $8 billion in gas projects in Iran are not supported by facts. The 'strategic memorandum' on future supplies of Russian gas to Iran signed last year by Gazprom[4] and the National Iranian Gas Company does not provide for any actual participants' obligations, and no work is being done in this direction either in Moscow or Tehran, not to mention Baku, which must 'greenlight' the transit of gas supplies. "The conclusion is unambiguous: Russia has no leverages over the regime of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and there is no chance that mediation attempts will be perceived in Tehran and other capitals of the world as potentially effective. "Let's leave speculation about Russia's great role in the Near and Middle East to Putin's propagandists."
ABC News
26-04-2025
- Politics
- ABC News
Russian general killed in car explosion near Moscow, as US envoy meets Putin
The Kremlin has blamed Ukraine for a car bomb that killed a senior Russian military officer near Moscow just hours before US envoy Steve Witkoff was due to meet President Vladimir Putin. There was no official comment from Kyiv on the death of 59-year-old Yaroslav Moskalik on Friday local time. It is the second such attack on a top Russian military officer in four months, Russia's top criminal investigation agency has confirmed. Investigators work the scene where Yaroslav Moskalik was killed. ( AP Photo ) It said the lieutenant general was killed by an explosive device rigged with shrapnel, placed in his car in Balashikha, just outside Moscow. "The Kyiv regime once again simply shows its true nature," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told a state TV reporter. " It shows once again that, despite the peace talks, we must be on guard and understand the nature of this regime. " Mr Moskalik was a deputy head of the main operational department in the general staff of the Russian armed forces. Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff in Moscow. ( Reuters: ) Trump's envoy meets Putin Mr Moskalik's death came hours before Mr Witkoff met Mr Putin in Moscow for three hours to discuss US proposals for ending the three-year war. Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov, who took part in the meeting, described it as constructive and very useful. "This conversation allowed Russia and the United States to further bring their positions closer together, not only on Ukraine but also on a number of other international issues," he told reporters. " As for the Ukrainian crisis itself, the discussion focused in particular on the possibility of resuming direct negotiations between representatives of the Russian Federation and Ukraine. " Photo shows Rescuers look for survivors amid the rubble of a building The US president demands Moscow ceases bombarding the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv as Washington attempts to broker a peace deal. Shortly after the Moscow meeting ended, Mr Trump said he had not been briefed on the talks but heard that his envoy and Putin had "a pretty good meeting". In a later social media post, Mr Trump said work on a peace deal was going smoothly, adding: "SUCCESS seems to be in the future!" There was no immediate comment from Mr Witkoff. Kyiv mayor says Ukraine may have to give up land Meanwhile the mayor of Kyiv told the BBC on Friday local time that Ukraine may have to give up land in order to strike a peace deal with Russia. Vitali Klitschko said ceding some territory to Vladimir Putin could unlock negotiations with Moscow and help bring about an end to the three-year war. His comments come days after a Russian missile and drone attack on Kyiv claimed 12 lives. The Kyiv mayor said President Volodymyr Zelenskyy might be forced to accept a "painful solution" to achieve peace. ( Reuters: Valentyn Ogirenko ) "One of the scenarios is … to give up territory," Mr Klitschko said. " It's not fair. But for the peace, temporary peace, maybe it can be a solution, temporary. " The mayor said President Volodymyr Zelenskyy might be forced to accept a "painful solution", although the Ukrainian people would "never accept occupation" by Russia. The Kyiv mayor said President Volodymyr Zelenskyy might be forced to accept a "painful solution" to achieve peace. ( Reuters: Thomas Peter ) Since launching a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Russia has gained control of around 2 per cent of Ukrainian territory, having annexed Crimea in 2014. Mr Trump floated the prospect of Ukraine giving up Crimea in a post on Truth Social earlier this week. Reuters/AP
ABC News
25-04-2025
- Politics
- ABC News
Senior Russian killed in car explosion near Moscow, as US envoy meets Putin
The Kremlin has blamed Ukraine for a car bomb that killed a senior Russian military officer near Moscow just hours before US envoy Steve Witkoff was due to meet President Vladimir Putin. There was no official comment from Kyiv on the death of 59-year-old Yaroslav Moskalik on Friday local time. It is the second such attack on a top Russian military officer in four months, Russia's top criminal investigation agency has confirmed. Investigators work the scene where Yaroslav Moskalik was killed. ( AP Photo ) It said the lieutenant general was killed by an explosive device rigged with shrapnel, placed in his car in Balashikha, just outside Moscow. "The Kyiv regime once again simply shows its true nature," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told a state TV reporter. " It shows once again that, despite the peace talks, we must be on guard and understand the nature of this regime. " Mr Moskalik was a deputy head of the main operational department in the general staff of the Russian armed forces. Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff in Moscow. ( Reuters: ) Trump's envoy meets Putin Mr Moskalik's death came hours before Mr Witkoff met Mr Putin in Moscow to discuss US proposals for ending the three-year war. US President Donald Trump said it was a key moment in diplomacy to end the war in Ukraine, suggesting a deal is "very close". "We are thinking very strongly that they both want peace," he told reporters on Thursday. "This next few days is going to be very important. " I think we're going to make a deal ... I think we're getting very close. " Photo shows Rescuers look for survivors amid the rubble of a building The US president demands Moscow ceases bombarding the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv as Washington attempts to broker a peace deal. Mr Witkoff has emerged as Washington's key interlocutor with Mr Putin as the US president pushes for a deal to end the war, and has already held three long meetings with the Kremlin leader. The envoy's latest visit to Moscow comes a day after Trump criticised Russia's attack on Kyiv that killed at least 12 people, posting on social media: "Vladimir, STOP!" Kyiv mayor says it may have to give up land Meanwhile the mayor of Kyiv told the BBC on Friday local time that Ukraine may have to give up land in order to strike a peace deal with Russia. Vitali Klitschko said ceding some territory to Vladimir Putin could unlock negotiations with Moscow and help bring about an end to the three-year war. His comments come days after a Russian missile and drone attack on Kyiv claimed 12 lives. The Kyiv mayor said President Volodymyr Zelenskyy might be forced to accept a "painful solution" to achieve peace. ( Reuters: Valentyn Ogirenko ) "One of the scenarios is … to give up territory," Mr Klitschko said. " It's not fair. But for the peace, temporary peace, maybe it can be a solution, temporary. " The mayor said President Volodymyr Zelenskyy might be forced to accept a "painful solution", although the Ukrainian people would "never accept occupation" by Russia. The Kyiv mayor said President Volodymyr Zelenskyy might be forced to accept a "painful solution" to achieve peace. ( Reuters: Thomas Peter ) Since launching a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Russia has gained control of around 2 per cent of Ukrainian territory, having annexed Crimea in 2014. Mr Trump floated the prospect of Ukraine giving up Crimea in a post on Truth Social earlier this week. Reuters/AP
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
‘Coalition of the willing' talks failed, says EU chief
The European Union's top diplomat said the latest 'coalition of the willing' meeting had failed to present clear plans on enforcing a post-war settlement in Ukraine. Kaja Kallas was asked on Friday whether the gathering a day before in Brussels had cleared up any confusion over the stalled plans. 'No,' Mrs Kallas told reporters when asked whether Thursday's meeting had shed light on the strategy to police any peace settlement. 'The different member states have different opinions and the discussions are still ongoing.' Her remarks were dismissed by John Healey, the Defence Secretary, who said the Franco-British led coalition's plans were 'real' and 'well-advanced'. Brussels' foreign affairs chief said she was uncertain whether any European-led force in Ukraine should be used to uphold peace, monitor any ceasefire or be fighting on the ground. On Thursday, Mr Healey and his French counterpart, Sébastien Lecornu, chaired a meeting of defence ministers and officials from the 30 nations taking part in the 'coalition of the willing'. But doubt have been growing about the speed of talks, which have been partly hindered Vladimir Putin's refusal to accept a truce. On Friday, Donald Trump's diplomatic envoy travelled to Russia for surprise talks with Putin in the Kremlin. It was expected that Steve Witkoff would deliver messages about Donald Trump's frustrations that Moscow had not signed up to a ceasefire in Ukraine. Credit: After the talks, in the the latest sign of his growing frustration with the Russian leader, Mr Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform: 'Russia has to get moving. Too many people ere [sic] DYING, thousands a week, in a terrible and senseless war – a war that should have never happened, and wouldn't have happened, if I were President!!!' The Axios news wire reported that Mr Witkoff would warn Putin to sign up to a truce proposal by the end of the month or face new financial sanctions. Rustem Umerov, Ukraine's defence minister who was attending the talks in Brussels, said he only learnt of Mr Witkoff's trip today. In the Belgian capital, Mr Healey announced that European allies had pledged £18 billion in military aid for Kyiv. It was also the first time, in the 27 meetings the coalition has met since the start of the war, a US defence secretary did not attend, with Pete Hegseth dialling in from overseas because of 'diary issues'. His decision not to travel to Nato HQ was seen as a symbol of Washington's decision to step back from its leading role supporting Ukraine's war efforts. Mr Healey opened the meeting with an appeal for Kyiv's allies to come forward with fresh donations, as well as announcing a £450 million package from Britain, including hundreds of thousands of drones and cash to maintain over 3,000 vehicles. 'Today, at this Ukraine contact group, we step up our support for Ukraine in the fight. Our job as defence ministers is to get urgent military aid into the hands of Ukrainian war fighters,' he said on Friday. 'And to those nations not making fresh commitments today, I urge you to look again, to look hard at what more you can do,' 'All military aid now will help Ukraine in the fight today and help secure a durable peace tomorrow, because the Ukrainian armed forces must be their own strongest deterrent against further Russian attacks.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
South China Morning Post
12-03-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Putin visits Russia's Kursk region, wants it ‘liberated' from Ukraine forces
President Vladimir Putin has visited the western Russian region of Kursk for the first time since Ukrainian forces seized some territory in the region. Advertisement Appearing on Russian state television dressed in a pixilated military uniform, Putin visited a control centre in Kursk region used by Russian troops. 'Indeed, in the shortest possible time is to finally defeat the enemy entrenched in the Kursk region and still conducting defensive actions here,' Putin said, addressing Russia's top military brass. Putin heard a report from Valery Gerasimov, head of the Russian General Staff, who told him that Ukrainian troops in the Kursk region were now surrounded. 'Its systematic destruction is under way,' Gerasimov said. Russia's President Vladimir Putin visits a command point for Russian troops involved in the counteroffensive in the Kursk region in footage released on Wednesday. Photo: via AFP Putin said Russian forces should completely liberate the region from the Ukrainian troops as soon as possible, the news agencies reported.
