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

City scape of Moscow, Russian capital.

Russia

April 19, 2025

Moscow 11:01 pm

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

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

Cooperation between Qatar and Russia on energy matters is growing, as Doha seeks to mediate between the Kremlin and Ukraine over the war.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi (L) and Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov walk together after their meeting to give a joint press conference at the foreign ministry headquarters in Tehran on February 25, 2025. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP) (Photo by ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images)

IAEA chief in Tehran as Iran FM returns to Russia with Khamenei letter

A flurry of meetings are taking place in Iran, Russia and the US ahead of the second round of nuclear negotiations between the US and Iran on Saturday.

Bushehr

US imposes new Iran sanctions ahead of Oman talks as Tehran touts nuclear gains

Iranian officials met their Russian and Chinese counterparts on Tuesday to discuss the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program as Tehran prepares for negotiations with Washington.

Thomas Kronsteiner/Getty Images

OPEC+ members boost output as Trump tariffs bring down oil prices

The US president has been calling on Saudi Arabia and other top oil producers to boost production and bring down prices.

Latest News

US sanctions Russia-based network for aiding Houthis as strikes continue

A February 6, 2025 photo shows the US Treasury in Washington, DC. Opponents to US President Donald Trump say he allowed Elon Musk -- the world's richest man and a major government contractor -- to break the law by accessing US Treasury payment systems that send out trillions of dollars and hold a welter of sensitive personal data. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP) (Photo by MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)

Top US senator: No F-35 jets for Turkey until Russia's S-400 missiles 'gone'

A column of Russian missile S-400 Triumf systems drives on Red Square during the Victory Day military parade in central Moscow, on May 9, 2024.

Russia's Putin sends letter to Sharaa offering Syria 'practical cooperation'

Sharaa Putin

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

Debris from a destroyed car litter the street at the scene of an explosion near a grocery store, following bombardment at in Ukraine's second city Kharkiv on April 18, 2022.

US: Iran aims to send drones to Russia for use in Ukraine

White House releases intel linking Iran to Russia's war on Ukraine just days before President Joe Biden is set to meet Israeli, Arab leaders.

Astana

Russia, Iran won't endorse Turkish military operation in Syria

At the latest Astana Group meeting on Syria, Russia and Iran tried to soothe Turkey by rejecting the Kurdish-led self-rule in northern Syria in a joint declaration this week.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov (L) talks with his Azerbaijani counterpart Elmar Mammadyarov (C) and Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif (R)in Baku on Aug. 8, 2016.

Iran, Russia to establish trade centers

The two countries will focus on energy-related trading and establishing a north-south corridor to rival the Suez Canal.

Erdogan

Does Erdogan have a green light from Russia to move into Syria?

The US and Iran oppose the planned Turkish operation, as Erdogan digs in further on Finland and Sweden’s NATO bids, and warns Greece on the Aegean Islands.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (L) and Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu (R).

Russia expresses 'understanding' for Turkey’s security concerns in north Syria

Receiving Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Ankara, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu maintains that the creation of a safe maritime corridor for Ukrainian grain exports should be accompanied by the easing of sanctions against Russia.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu shake hands during a joint press conference following their talks in Moscow on March 16, 2022.

Ukraine, Syria top Lavrov's agenda in Turkey

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov arrives in Ankara on June 8.

Putin Erdogan

Analysis

The Takeaway: Russia, Israel weigh consequences of fallout in ties over Ukraine

Dmitiri Simes has the take from Moscow, Ben Caspit the scoop from Jerusalem; Hamas opens terrorist front inside Israel; skepticism over Assad’s refugee strategy; does Egypt’s national dialogue include Brotherhood?; Israel’s psychedelic nasal spray.

Andrew Parasiliti

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Andrew Parasiliti , Elizabeth Hagedorn

Pro-Russian supporters wave flags as they welcome missile cruiser Moskva.

How Russia losing its Black Sea flagship Moskva could reverberate in Syria

Fire

Breaking | Last Updated: March 18, 2022, 11:13 am

Live updates: How Russia’s assault on Ukraine affects Middle East

Russia's invasion of Ukraine is having an impact well beyond Europe. Follow along for the latest updates affecting the Mideast region.

LOUAI BESHARA/AFP via Getty Images

Putin says Moscow ready to use Mideast fighters in Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin has backed the idea of sending volunteer fighters to Ukraine, though there are good reasons for Moscow to refrain from bringing them in from Syria and elsewhere.

US Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines testifies.

Analysis

The Takeaway: Russia, Iran major cyberthreats targeting US, says intel community

Turkey as alternative European gas route; Russian Syrian mercenaries in Ukraine; Palestinians claim double-standard in Western response to Ukraine; Egypt balances US, Russia in dealing with Ukraine war.

Andrew Parasiliti

Elizabeth Hagedorn

Joe Snell

By Andrew Parasiliti , Elizabeth Hagedorn , Joe Snell

Pedestrians cross a street in front of a billboard displaying the symbol "Z."

Pentagon: Russia recruiting Syrians to fight in Ukraine

The Kremlin appears to be shifting tactics as it meets stiff Western-backed resistance in Ukraine.