Dim Amor

Russia is sharpening its position against Israel and working with full force to establish a special UN session on ceasefire, according to reports in Russian media. The move comes against the backdrop of sharp escalation in the Israeli-Iranian confrontation, as Moscow harshly condemns Israeli military operations and seeks to position itself as a regional mediator.

The dramatic events in the region were discussed today in a telephone conversation between the foreign ministers of Russia and Iran. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov, following the conversation held by the leaders of both countries yesterday. Lavrov emphasized in the conversation that Moscow condemns the Israeli military action and expressed condolences to his Iranian counterpart regarding the high number of casualties from Israeli strikes. The Russian foreign minister added that Russia is prepared to assist in calming the conflict.

Meanwhile, additional details are emerging about the complex diplomacy taking place behind the scenes. U.S. President Donald Trump referred yesterday to his conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, noting that most of the conversation dealt with Iran, which Putin "knows excellently". Trump added that both agreed that the war between Iran and Israel should end as soon as possible.

Last evening, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also held a conversation with Putin, who offered to mediate "to prevent escalation". In a statement published by the Kremlin, Putin noted in his conversation with Netanyahu the "need for a peaceful solution and return to a negotiation process". The move indicates a Russian attempt to position itself as a central mediator in the conflict.

In a separate conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Putin described the Israeli attack against Iran's nuclear facilities as "dangerous escalation." The Kremlin statement emphasized that Moscow condemns the attack that "violates the UN Charter and international law." Putin expressed his "condolences" to Pezeshkian regarding the loss of life in Iran and called for resolving the nuclear crisis through diplomatic means.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov officially declared that Russia condemns the sharp escalation in the confrontation between Israel and Iran and expresses concern about the growing tension between the countries. According to him, President Vladimir Putin is being continuously updated on developments. Peskov added that the Russian Foreign Ministry, under presidential guidance, is expected to soon publish a detailed statement regarding the situation in the Middle East, which will also be transmitted to the United Nations.

However, Russian moves raise questions about the real motives behind Russian condemnation. Since 2014, Russia has been conducting extensive military operations in Ukraine, occupied the Crimean Peninsula, and committed acts described as war crimes. President Putin is even wanted by the International Court in The Hague for crimes in Ukraine. According to estimates, approximately one million people have been killed and hundreds of thousands wounded in the war in Ukraine since its beginning.

Additionally, Russia benefits from Middle Eastern escalation in economic terms as well. The rise in oil prices recorded following Israeli strikes serves Moscow's interests, as it operates under heavy international sanctions. Rising prices give the besieged Russian economy breathing room and provide it with vital maneuvering space in the global arena.

The complex picture indicates a pragmatic Russian policy based on geopolitical and economic interests. Moscow tries to maintain relations with Iran as a strategic ally while attempting to position itself as a leading regional mediator. At the same time, it benefits from the economic consequences of regional instability.

The Russian paradox is expressed in the fact that a country conducting a comprehensive invasion of its neighbor condemns military actions by another country. This testifies to Moscow's double standards policy, which tries to exploit the Middle Eastern crisis to strengthen its international standing while ignoring its own actions in Europe.

The Russian attempt to establish a UN session on ceasefire constitutes part of its efforts to position itself as a mediating power, parallel to attempts to divert attention from its actions in Ukraine. The diplomatic maneuver indicates Russia's desire to return to the center of the international stage, even when it is itself isolated by the international community.

Recent diplomatic moves point to a complex reality where economic and geopolitical interests guide Russian policy more than moral or legal principles. Russia tries to exploit the current crisis to strengthen its position as a regional power while utilizing economic opportunities arising from instability.

In this context, the central question is whether Russia is truly interested in genuine de-escalation in the Middle East, or whether it sees the crisis as an opportunity to advance its interests. The answer will become clear in the coming weeks, when it will be tested whether Russian diplomatic moves will lead to concrete actions or remain at the rhetorical level only.

Time will tell whether Russia will succeed in realizing its aspirations to establish itself as a central mediator in the Middle East, or whether its double standards policy will expose the widening gap between its declarations and its actions. In the complex geopolitical reality of this time, there is no room for diplomatic improvisation, and Russian moves will be judged according to their concrete results and not according to their public statements.

P.S. Nevertheless, it is clearly evident how Russia does not hesitate to abandon its allies when necessary. This year we witnessed this distinctly in the Syrian arena – for Russia has interests, but it doesn't really have friends.

Photo: AP