While global attention focused on the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran, Russia moved subtly in the background, seizing the moment to present itself as a neutral and stabilising force—an image steeped in irony.
Experts have long warned of the Kremlin’s pattern of exploiting global crises, and this instance was no different. As missile exchanges raised fears of a broader war, Russia used the chaos to deflect scrutiny from its war in Ukraine and to posture as a peacemaker.
Despite the U.S. stepping in to aid Israel and launch a powerful response intended to calm tensions, Russia took a different route. Vladimir Putin stayed quiet, positioning Moscow as a calm, rational voice while taking advantage of the situation to test Western limits and shift attention away from its actions in Ukraine.
Dr Ivana Stradner, a research fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, said Russia’s actions were part of a deliberate strategy: “Russia benefits from the Middle East crisis by drawing the West’s focus away from Ukraine.”
This strategy became even clearer as the Kremlin criticized Israel’s military response while simultaneously continuing its own prolonged aggression against Ukraine. Moscow then portrayed itself as a diplomatic mediator at the UN, despite its limited capacity and questionable motives.
“Putin wants to be seen as a responsible player, but his mediation offers are more about shaping perceptions than solving problems,” Dr Stradner explained. She added that Putin’s goal is to appeal to figures like Donald Trump, seeking leverage in future negotiations over Ukraine.
While Russia played up its diplomatic posture, it notably refrained from offering direct military support to Iran, despite their long-standing relationship. Dr Stradner pointed to Moscow’s past betrayals of allies like Armenia and Syria, warning other nations not to place too much trust in the Kremlin. “With friends like Putin, you don’t need enemies,” she said.
Meanwhile, former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev issued a provocative statement suggesting Iran could be supplied with nuclear weapons by allies, sparking a sharp response from Donald Trump. Trump accused Medvedev of casually using the “N-word”—nuclear—and said such rhetoric underscored why “Putin’s the boss.”
Dr Stradner dismissed Medvedev’s comments as part of Russia’s psychological warfare strategy, known as reflexive control—meant to confuse, intimidate, and manipulate opponents. “It’s pure propaganda,” she said. “Nobody should take it at face value.”
Beyond the immediate crisis, Russia and Iran’s relationship continues to deepen, with shared ideological goals tying them together beyond military cooperation. According to Dr Stradner, both regimes aim to reject Western liberalism in favour of a traditionalist, authoritarian order.
This alliance is being reinforced by initiatives like the International North-South Transport Corridor and broader alignment with nations such as China and North Korea. The BRICS bloc—featuring major economies like China, India, and Russia—also plays a key role in Russia’s vision of a “multipolar world order,” which Putin promoted at a summit in Moscow last year.
“The movement toward a multipolar world is active and irreversible,” Putin declared, positioning Russia as a leader among those seeking alternatives to Western-led institutions like the G7.
