Latest news with #TheMoscowTimes
Memri
a day ago
- 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."
Time of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Why US man Daniel Martindale was granted Russian citizenship in the middle of Ukraine war
An American citizen who assisted the Kremlin in targeting Ukrainian troops amid the conflict with Kyiv has received a Russian passport in Moscow. The man was identified as Daniel Richard Martindale. He was assisting Russian forces during the special military operation in Ukraine. Later, he was spirited out of eastern Ukraine by Russian special forces. Russian state television broadcast a report on Tuesday showing Martindale, with a trim beard and dressed in a suit and tie, smiling as he received his new documents, as reported by news agency Reuters. Authorities in the Moscow-controlled Donetsk claimed that he had played a 'key role' in helping Russian forces seize the village of Bohoiavlenka near the occupied city of Vuhledar in October 2023, according to The Moscow Times. The pro-Kremlin head of Donetsk, Denis Pushilin, said President Vladimir Putin had signed a decree granting him citizenship. 'I, Daniel Richard Martindale, voluntarily and consciously accepting the citizenship of the Russian Federation, swear to observe the constitution,' Martindale said. Martindale, who originally hails from, told reporters in 2024 that he had done 'everything to save the lives of Russian soldiers' and requested Russian citizenship during a press conference in Moscow, The Moscow Times reported. Live Events Pushilin claimed Martindale provided intelligence that helped Russian forces capture the Ukrainian city of Kurakhove. He also stated that Martindale had to be rescued due to threats to his safety. 'When it became clear that Daniel's continued presence in that area was life-threatening, our special services conducted a highly complex rescue,' he wrote on Telegram, according to The Moscow Times. 'Dream come true': Martindale Martindale said that he dreamed of obtaining Russian citizenship as far back as ten years ago and is now very happy that his dream has come true. 'This dream entered my heart ten years ago, long before the current conflict—a conviction that Russia is not only my home but also my family.' He said that in Russia, he wants to start a family and raise children as a true citizen. He also noted that his parents dream of living in Russia as well. According to Russian state media, Martindale's family supports his decision to remain in the region and plans to visit him. What drew Martindale towards Russia Martindale grew up on farms in upstate New York and Indiana, the child of missionaries who later moved to rural China, according to a Wall Street Journal report. A brief trip over the border into Russia's Far East during the family's time in China sparked Martindale's interest in Russia. In 2018, Martindale, now in his early 30s, moved to Vladivostok, a Russian port city on the Pacific, where he studied Russian and taught English before being deported a year later for violating labor laws, the Journal said. He moved to southern Poland but was keen to return to Russia, the journal said. In 2022, Martindale entered Ukraine just days before President Vladimir Putin ordered thousands of troops into Ukraine.
Euronews
5 days ago
- Politics
- Euronews
Smell like Putin: Russia releases scented candle to promote patriotism
Scented candles are a popular trend among those looking to create a cosy atmosphere in their homes. Smells vary according to taste: some are sweet but sharp, others fruity and floral. There's something for everyone, and while variety is important, sometimes it goes too far. Marketed for those who love Vladimir Putin so much that they want a constant reminder of his musk in their homes, a series of candles now allows that fantasy to come true. They are "Made in Russia", and the aroma of authoritarianism costs a total of 546 rubles per candle (around €6), with a manufacturer's guarantee. "The handmade indoor scented candle is made from natural wax. The room is filled with aroma in just 30 to 40 minutes," says the product description, quoted by the Russian newspaper The Moscow Times - which says that 25,000 candles have been sold. The manufacturer also claims that the candle's wooden wick imitates the sound of a crackling fireplace. The candle comes in two versions: "Aroma Putin Black Vanilla" and "Aroma Putin Dark Amber" and is available on Russian marketplaces such as Wildberries. There aren't many reviews, but some have five-star endorsements. In addition to the Putin scent, the same manufacturer offers candles with the names "Russia: Symbols of the Russian Empire", "Let's Support Our Own!" and "Aroma of Patriotism" with the image of Russian soldiers in the background. These candles have become a talking point in the press, with Portuguese journalist, writer and commentator specialising in Russian affairs, José Milhazes, calling the phenomenon further proof of Russia's cult of personality in his "Daqui Moscovo" segment on SIC television (Sociedade Independente de Comunicação). Presidential precedents It's not exactly a pioneering move either. While we establish no correlation between the two, US President Donald Trump recently announced a new addition to his personal line of merchandise: branded perfume and cologne that will set you back $249 (€211). The fragrances, called "Victory 45-47" - a reference to his two presidential terms - are "all about Winning, Strength, and Success," Trump wrote on his social network Truth Social. The launch of this latest scent has been heavily criticised, especially because of its timing – which coincided with Senate Republicans hauling Trump's tax breaks and spending cuts bill to passage by the narrowest of margins. One person commented online about the fragrance launch: '16 million Americans are about to lose their healthcare, but go buy my gross perfume…'
MTV Lebanon
07-07-2025
- Politics
- MTV Lebanon
Russian minister shoots himself hours after getting fired
Russia's former transport minister Roman Starovoyt died by suicide after being dismissed by President Vladimir Putin. Starovoyt shot himself in a Moscow suburb after the dismissal was announced, AFP quoted Russian news agencies as saying. The Russian authorities said his body was found in his car. "Today, the body of the former Minister of Transport of the Russian Federation, Roman Starovoit, was found with a gunshot wound in his personal car," a statement issued by Russia's investigative committee said. President Putin dismissed Starovoit over a year after he was appointed, The Moscow Times quoted a Russian decree. The decree, however, did not specify the reason for Starovoit's removal. Starovoit was replaced with Deputy Transportation Minister Andrei Nikitin, who will now serve as acting transportation minister.
Miami Herald
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Putin Minister Found Dead After Ukraine Failures
Roman Starovoyt was found dead in what police believe was a suicide, Russian state media reported, hours after he was fired by President Vladimir Putin from his role as transport minister. Starovoyt was found dead at his home on Monday, July 7, with a firearm nearby, RIA Novosti reported. He was the governor of Russia's Kursk region until May 2024, when he was appointed to the transportation role by Putin. But Ukraine's incursion into Kursk fueled scrutiny of Starovoyt's job preparing the border defenses, and his deputy is implicated in a corruption scandal related to border fortifications, The Moscow Times reported. The Kremlin's announcement gave no reason for Starovoyt's dismissal. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov refused to comment on it. Over the weekend, hundreds of flights were canceled or delayed at Moscow's Sheremetyevo and St. Petersburg's Pulkovo airports, and thousands of travelers faced long waits. Other airports in western and central Russia also faced disruptions because of Ukrainian drone attacks. This is a breaking news story. Updates to follow. This article includes reporting by The Associated Press. Related Articles Russia Appears To Be Hiding Its Death FiguresLavrov Lists Russia Demands for Ukraine PeaceCaptive Audience: How Putin Shapes Russian OpinionsDonald Trump Threatens Russia Tariffs as Relationship With Putin Worsens 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
