Russia-Ukraine crisis

In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian arrive for a documents signing ceremony following their talks at the Kremlin in Moscow on January 17, 2025. (Photo by Vyacheslav PROKOFYEV / POOL / AFP) (Photo by VYACHESLAV PROKOFYEV/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Can Russia broker Iran-Israel deal as Putin looks to divert West from Ukraine?

A mediating role between Tehran and Tel Aviv could help the Kremlin boost its credentials as well as turn attention away from ongoing war in Ukraine.

Kasia A. Houghton

By Kasia A. Houghton

TEHRAN, IRAN - JUNE 15: People observe fire and smoke from an Israeli attack on the Shahran oil depot on June 15, 2025 in Tehran, Iran. Iran's foreign minister said the country would respond "decisively and proportionally" to a wave of attacks that Israel launched beginning in the early hours of June 13. The attacks targeted multiple military, scientific and residential locations, as well as senior government officials. (Photo by Stringer/Getty Images)

Analysis

As Israel-Iran strikes escalate, Russia weighs risks and opportunities

With evacuations underway and investments at risk, the Kremlin still sees a chance to benefit by boosting gas exports and mediating US-Iran talks.

Nikita Smagin

By Nikita Smagin

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan (2R), US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (2L) and Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andrii Yermak (R) attend the Turkiye-US-Ukraine Trilateral meeting as Ukrainian, American and Russian delegates meet for peace talks at the office of Turkish President in Dolmabahce Palace on May 16, 2025 in Istanbul, Turkey.

Turkey’s Fidan in Russia as Trump accuses Putin of ‘needless’ killing in Ukraine

The top Turkish diplomat’s Moscow visit follows Istanbul peace talks and the US president's rare criticism of the Russian leader.

Mark Wilson/Getty Images

Trump may visit Turkey Thursday for Erdogan’s Russia-Ukraine talks

The US president floated the idea of traveling to Turkey on Thursday for a potential meeting between the Russian and Ukrainian leaders.

Latest News

Qatar and Russia to up investment by $2B as emir visits Moscow

Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani at the Kremlin in Moscow, on April 17, 2025.

UAE brokers Ukraine-Russia swap for 350 prisoners: What we know

People hold placards as they ride in a convoy of vehicles during a rally held by relatives and friends of Ukrainian prisoners of war, as they call for their exchange with Russian prisoners, in Kyiv on March 9, 2025.

United Arab Emirates

Analysis

Ukraine ceasefire showcases Saudi Arabia's diplomatic role under Trump

Saudi Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman meets Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during his visit to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, March 10.

Jennifer Gnana

By Rosaleen Carroll , Jennifer Gnana

Analysis

Wary of Turkey and Iran, Israel tightens ties with Russia: What to know

Two giant election banners showing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shaking hands with US President Donald Trump (L) and Russian President Vladimir Putin and a caption reading "Netanyahu, in another league," Tel Aviv, July 28, 2019.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

A Russian flag raised at the Russia Embassy in Washington, DC, April 15, 2021.

US sanctions UAE, Turkey, China firms for allegedly aiding Russia in Ukraine

The move targets the development of Russia’s defense and technology sectors and aims to weaken it in its war against Ukraine.

United Arab Emirates

VILNIUS, LITHUANIA - JULY 11: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan attends the opening high-level session of the 2023 NATO Summit on July 11, 2023 in Vilnius, Lithuania. The summit is bringing together NATO members and partner countries heads of state from July 11-12 to chart the alliance's future, with Sweden's application for membership and Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine as major topics on the summit agenda. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

Explainer: Why Turkey's Erdogan finally initiated Sweden’s NATO ratification

Turkish officials caution that ratification of Sweden's accession to NATO is not a done deal and that the process remains littered with challenges.

Floral tributes and a poster depicting Russian President Vladimir Putin are seen left at the fence of the Palestinian embassy in Moscow on October 19, 2023. Thousands of people, both Israeli and Palestinians have died since October 7, 2023, after Palestinian Hamas militants entered Israel in a surprise attack leading Israel to declare war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip on October 8. (Photo by Natalia KOLESNIKOVA / AFP) (Photo by NATALIA KOLESNIKOVA/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Israel relayed to Russia 'dissatisfaction' over its Hamas position as rift widens

Israel is concerned by declarations by Russian President Vladimir Putin and other officials that could signal a shift in Moscow’s views toward it.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan (C) takes an oath of office after his election win at the parliament in Ankara on June 3, 2023. Turkey's Recep Tayyip Erdogan was sworn in for a third term as president on June 3, promising to serve "impartially" after winning a historic runoff election to extend his two-decade rule. (Photo by Adem ALTAN / AFP) (Photo by ADEM ALTAN/AFP via Getty Images)

Breaking | Last Updated: October 23, 2023, 6:37 pm

Turkey’s Erdogan initiates Sweden NATO ratification in parliament

It remains unclear how long the ratification process will take given the Turkish president’s recent airing of grievances against Stockholm and Washington.

The USS Gerald R. Ford, the 'world's largest warship,' is seen at anchor in Faliro Bay, Athens, Greece, as part of its summer deployment, on July 28, 2023 (Photo by Nikos Libertas / SOOC / SOOC via AFP) (Photo by NIKOS LIBERTAS/SOOC/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

In Israel-Hamas war, Russia's leverage erodes, outflanked by US naval power

Against the background of the possible entry of pro-Iranian forces into the Israeli-Gaza conflict, Moscow lacks even symbolic means of deterrence.

Anton Mardasov

By Anton Mardasov

Israeli oil platform extracting natural gas from Mediterranean Sea.

Israeli gas continues to flow despite Gaza conflict, but risks remain

A prolonged war might mean less exported gas to Egypt, and in turn less supply for Europe.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Analysis

Snubbed by Russia, Israel and Ukraine draw closer after Hamas attack

Russian President Vladimir Putin offered little solidarity to Israel over the Hamas attack.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

A view of the sign that reads "Caution: mines" on the beach on April 25, 2022, in Odesa, Ukraine.

Turkey, Romania, Bulgaria announce mechanism to clear mines in Black Sea

The joint mechanism between Turkey, Bulgaria and Romania comes after the British government said Russia might use sea mines to deter Kyiv from exporting its grain.

French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna and her Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan shake hands at the end of a joint press conference following their talks in Yerevan on October 3, 2023. (Photo by ALAIN JOCARD / AFP) (Photo by ALAIN JOCARD/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

As Armenia's ties strain with Turkey, France pushes EU to stand with Yerevan

France has positioned itself strictly on Armenia’s side on the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute, but can it avoid generating another crisis with Turkey?

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Navy gulf Oman

US sends 1.1 million rounds of seized Iranian ammunition to Ukraine

The unprecedented shipment comes as political paralysis in Congress has threatened to interrupt the flow of weapons to Kyiv.

Black smoke billows over the city after drone strikes in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv on September 19, 2023, amid Russia's military invasion on Ukraine. Drones attacked Ukraine's western city of Lviv early on September 19, and explosions rang out, causing a warehouse fire and wounding at least one person. Several waves of drones buzzed overhead, starting around 0130 GMT, and an AFP journalist heard numerous explosions and movements of heavy vehicles through the streets during the nightly curfew. (Phot

Analysis

Europe ups pressure on Iran for supplying Russia with drones in Ukraine

The European Union has shifted its focus regarding Iran-made drones beyond the Iranian officials and companies producing them to third parties buying components outside of Iran.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Israel, Germany sign $3.5B Arrow 3 deal

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant signed a letter of commitment in Berlin for the sale of the advanced Arrow 3 air defense system, signaling a strengthening of ties between Israel and Germany.