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

City scape of Moscow, Russian capital.

Russia

June 7, 2025

Moscow 11:41 pm

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US President Donald Trump (R) attends a meeting with Russia's president, Vladimir Putin, during the G20 summit in Osaka on June 28, 2019.

Analysis

Russia's Putin offers Trump help on Iran, likely with strings attached

As Iran weighs the US proposal for a nuclear deal, Russia has volunteered to play a role facilitating future talks.

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights

In this pool photograph distributed by Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin (R) and Libya's eastern military strongman Khalifa Haftar (L) attend their meeting in Moscow on May 10, 2025, during celebrations of the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two. (Photo by Gavriil GRIGOROV / POOL / AFP) (Photo by GAVRIIL GRIGOROV/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Mi-26s and T-62s: What Russia's military backing of Haftar means for Libya

A sweeping display of arms and alliances in Benghazi reflects Khalifa Haftar’s effort to project statehood, Moscow’s deeper investment in Libya, and a shifting power balance that could reshape peace prospects.

Francesco Schiavi

By Francesco Schiavi

In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance

VASILY FEDOSENKO/AFP via Getty Images

Egypt to ramp up ties with Belarus as Russia opens Red Sea consulate

Russia plans to open a new consulate in coastal Sharm el-Sheikh, following Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s visit to Moscow and signs of growing ties between Egypt and Belarus.

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.

Latest News

3 killed in attack on Russia’s Hmeimim base in Syria: Monitor

A portrait of Russia's President Vladimir Putin hangs above next to a torn out one of the ousted Syrian president, as Russian soldiers stand guard at the entrance of the Russian-leased Syrian military base of Hmeimim in Latakia province in western Syria on December 29, 2024.

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

Mark Wilson/Getty Images

Egypt’s Sisi in Russia, meets Putin after military parade: What to know

Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi at the Kremlin in Moscow on May 9, 2025. (Photo by YURI KOCHETKOV / POOL / AFP) (Photo by YURI KOCHETKOV/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

OPEC+ moves up meeting as oil prices continue to drop: What to know

Brandon Bell/Getty Images

Algeria's President Abdelmadjid Tebboune delivers a speech during a signing ceremony in the pavilion of honor at Algiers airport, Algiers, Algeria, Aug. 27, 2022.

Algeria forces Russia to make concessions

As the war in Ukraine carries on, the list of problematic issues between Algeria and Moscow is growing.

Ed Ram/Getty Images

US, Russian spy chiefs meet in Turkey over Ukraine war

CIA chief warns his Russian counterpart "on the consequences of the use of nuclear weapons" during face-to-face talks in Ankara.

The Malta-flagged bulk carrier Zante en-route to Belgium transits the Bosporus carrying 47,270 metric tons of rapeseed from Ukraine.

Russia returns to Ukraine grain deal, easing food crisis fears

Russia announces its return to the Ukraine grain deal after intense diplomatic traffic between Ankara and Moscow, mitigating concerns over a food crisis until the deal expires late November.

Ships, including those carrying grain from Ukraine and awaiting inspections, are seen anchored off the Istanbul coastline on Oct. 14, 2022, in Istanbul, Turkey.

Turkey calls on Russia to reconsider Ukraine ‘grain deal’ suspension

The Russian personnel stationed at a coordination center set up for the Ukraine grain deal in Istanbul have yet to leave their posts, Turkey says, calling on Moscow to resume the deal.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Putin’s 'gas hub’ plan aims to bolster Erdogan's image

Erdogan has accepted Putin’s offer to create a “gas hub” in northwest Turkey. But what is a gas hub? Is it workable? If realized, what impact would it have?

Leaders of nations of the European Political Community (EPC), including Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev (L) and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan (R).

Turkey's stance complicates potential peace between Armenia, Azerbaijan

By linking Turkey’s normalization with Armenia to a peace settlement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Erdogan could encourage intransigence on Baku’s part.

A Ukrainian serviceman carries a downed Russian drone.

Analysis

Russia's use of Iranian drones in Ukraine hints at reliance on Iran

Problems equipping Russian troops with "nationally developed drones" leave Russia's military primarily operating Iranian drones.

Anton Mardasov

By Anton Mardasov

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Turkey’s Caucasian diaspora to help kinsmen fleeing Russian draft

The Caucasian community in Turkey is treading carefully in an initiative to help kinsmen fleeing Moscow’s military call-up, wary of coming off as encouraging draft evasion and angering Russia.

Turkey economy

Erdogan initiates economic gestures ahead of Turkey's critical elections

Turkey’s president has stepped up economic pledges to the electorate ahead of next year’s polls, which loom as the toughest test of his two-decade rule.

A giant banner of the Russian national Mir card payment system.

Halt of Mir use deals blow to rising Putin-Erdogan cooperation

The specter of Western sanctions could curb other economic activities between Turkey and Russia as the surging bilateral trade comes under growing scrutiny.

Russian "Marina" shows her Russian passport as she poses for a photo in a hostel in Belgrade, on March 17, 2022.

Turkey braces for fresh influx of Russians as Putin announces mobilization

Prices of international flights from Russia to countries where Russians can visa-free travel skyrocketed within hours following Russian President Vladimir Putin’s partial mobilization announcement.

VLADIMIR SMIRNOV/AFP via Getty Images

Erdogan looks to Putin to ease foreign currency woes

An extraordinary uptick in capital flows of unknown origin to Turkey has left many wondering whether Russian money could be involved.