Russia - AL-MONITOR: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012

City scape of Moscow, Russian capital.

Russia

June 6, 2026

Moscow 4:51 am

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Tatoyan

Interview

Armenia candidate Tatoyan eyes Pashinyan's pro-West mantle in sea of Russia-backed rivals

In an interview from Yerevan, Armenian opposition candidate Arman Tatoyan denies pro-Russian ties and says he would deepen cooperation with the European Union and the United States while pursuing a gradual approach to relations with Moscow.

Arman Tatoyan

Arman Tatoyan

Founder, Wings of Unity Party

President Donald Trump gives a speech during the State Arrival Ceremony on the South Lawn on April 28, 2026, in Washington.

Trump speaks with Netanyahu, Putin as Iran pressure campaign escalates

President Donald Trump spoke by phone separately with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Russian President Vladimir Putin, discussing the situation in Iran and the possibility of extending the ceasefire.

DENIS LOVROVIC/AFP via Getty Images

Israel rejects Ukraine's claim that Russian shadow fleet vessel docked in Haifa

Ukraine alleges the vessel unloaded wheat taken from occupied territories in Haifa, while Israel says ship had not entered the port.

Latest News

Iran FM meets Putin, Russia’s military intel chief as talks stall: What to know

Iran FM meets Putin and Russia’s military intel chief as talks stall: What to know

Russia evacuates 160 staff from Iran's Bushehr plant: What to know

A picture taken on Nov. 10, 2019, shows an Iranian flag in Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant.

Analysis

Unclear chains of command in Iran complicate Russia’s diplomatic play

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)

Anton Mardasov

By Anton Mardasov

Russia denied sharing intelligence with Iran in Trump call, Witkoff says

Gavriil Grigorov / AFP via Getty Images

Sudan's military leader, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti).

Sudan remains open to naval base deal with Russia

A top Sudanese general's weeklong visit to Moscow has raised the stakes for US officials pushing for democracy in Khartoum.

ARIS MESSINIS/AFP via Getty Images

Will Russia turn to Syrian mercenaries for its Ukraine fight?

Evidence is emerging that the Syrian government and its Russian military partners are recruiting Syrian fighters for potential deployment to the former Soviet state.

Iran's chief nuclear negotiator, Ali Bagheri Kani (R).

Analysis

The Takeaway: Ukraine war looms over Iran nuclear talks, energy markets

More on the Ukraine War from Israel, Russia, Lebanon and Gaza; Nile Dam crisis escalates … all in less than 1,100 words.

Andrew Parasiliti

Elizabeth Hagedorn

Joe Snell

By Andrew Parasiliti , Elizabeth Hagedorn , Joe Snell

Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) talks to Russia's Chief Mufti Talgat Tadzhuddin (back) during their meeting in Kazan on Jan. 24, 2018.

Facing Western isolation over Ukraine, Russia looks to Mideast, Islamic world

As sanctions against Russia continue to increase, Moscow will likely focus on states in the Islamic world and the Middle East for support — but even this window may be closing.

Kharkiv

Analysis

Russian invasion of Ukraine scrambles Middle East diplomacy

Update from Moscow; US calls on regional allies for support against Russian attack on Ukraine; some facts on Russia.

Week in Review

By Week in Review

Libyan interim Prime Minister Fathi Bashagha delivers a speech at Mitiga International Airport in Tripoli on Feb. 10, 2022.

Russia voices support for new Libyan PM

Moscow is throwing its support behind new Prime Minister Fathi Bashagha and its belief that he can "unite Libyan society."

Syrian (front) and Russian soldiers stand at the Russian naval base in the Syrian Mediterranean port of Tartus on Sept. 26, 2019.

Russia's experience in Syria informs approach to Ukraine, NATO

The opportunity to field-test its next-generation weapons systems in recent years has emboldened the Kremlin to raise the stakes in Ukraine, and so has experience in brinkmanship with Turkey over Syria.

Members of the Belarusian Army take part in a parade at Fort Tiuna, held as part of the celebrations of the Bicentenary of the Venezuelan independence, in Caracas on April 19, 2010.

Belarus leader denies Russian claims about sending troops to Syria

Belarus’ leader has said a Russian government document claiming an agreement with Moscow to send Belarusian troops to Syria is false.

Burak Kara/Getty Images

Russian invasion of Ukraine would spell more economic turbulence for Turkey

War would bring Turkey under intense pressure from its Western allies to join putative sanctions against Russia, a critical trading partner and supplier of natural gas.

Participants gather with Ukrainian flags and flags of Crimean Tatars before riding in their cars through Kiev to commemorate the 76th anniversary of the deportation of the indigenous population of the Crimea by the Soviet Union, on May 18, 2020.

As Russia menaces Ukraine, Crimea's Tatars turn to Turkey

Complex ties stretch across centuries and continents, but Turkey's affinity for its ethnic kin is taking a backseat to global relations with Russia.

SERGEI ILYIN/Sputnik/AFP via Getty Images

Ankara reassures Moscow on eve of Erdogan’s Ukraine visit

With its president set to visit Ukraine, Turkey has reassured Russia by reiterating its commitment for a key maritime treaty safeguarding Russia's rights in the Black Sea.

Turkey Ukraine

Crisis in Ukraine: the Middle East connections

Also: Oman's foreign minister says dialogue is essential in dealing with Iran, Yemen and Syria; keeps focus on two-state solution.