As sirens wail in central Israel and reports of precision strikes in the heart of Tehran fill news channels around the clock, Russian President Vladimir Putin called President Donald Trump and offered his mediation services in the war. In polished diplomatic rhetoric, Putin spoke of a “ceasefire,” “restraint by both sides” and a “return to the negotiating table.”
But Russia is not a potential mediator. It is not a neutral party capable of playing that role. In this war, it has already chosen a side, and it is not Israel’s side.
Since the beginning of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the friendship between Russia and Iran hasn’t merely strengthened, it has become one of Iran’s closest alliances. Media reports speak of extensive exports of Iranian Shahed suicide drones, which the Russian army uses in attacks in Ukraine. In return, in April, Russia deepened its economic, technological and military cooperation with Iran, including the signing of a comprehensive 20-year strategic partnership agreement with an option for extension.
This agreement is no symbolic declaration. It contains a binding clause that says in the event of an external threat to either country, the other commits not to support the enemy and to work to “de-escalate the situation” based on the U.N. Charter. What sounds diplomatic on the surface effectively means that Russia will not support Israel, will not allow significant harm to come to Iran and will act in every way to minimize Israel’s achievements in this war.
Russia is not just a diplomatic ally of Iran. It is its primary arms supplier. The Iranian military is equipped with Russian-made anti-aircraft missile systems, tanks, air-defense systems, training aircraft and even submarines. Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, too, has long benefited from its close technological and academic cooperation with Russian institutions of higher learning; Three of the scientists killed in recent Israeli strikes are graduates of prestigious Russian universities.
In other words, when Israel destroys nuclear infrastructure in Iran, it is effectively dismantling parts of a military-scientific-technological project in which the Kremlin has quietly taken part. Make no mistake: Russia doesn’t merely back Iran—it feeds it.
Now, as Iranian missile barrages target Haifa and Bat Yam, and Israel responds with unprecedented deep strikes throughout the Islamic Republic, Putin offers “mediation” services. He talks of conversations with both sides and his concern about regional escalation, but he does not condemn Iran. He does not mention Iran’s attempts to target civilians, its alliance with Hamas or its funding of terror.
Putin’s attempt to portray himself as a neutral mediator is the height of diplomatic hypocrisy. Russia, which, for years, has positioned itself as an alternative to the Western-led order, is advancing the agenda of those who oppose democracy and global stability. In this case, it is trying to play both sides: On the one hand, maintaining its vital ties with Iran, and on the other, offering itself as a responsible actor on the international stage.
If Israel accepts Russia’s offer to mediate, it will be walking into a strategic trap. Such mediation will never lead to the halting of Iran’s nuclear program, will never curb the terror organizations and will never grant Israel the freedom to act in self-defense. Instead, Russia will demand concessions, mostly from Israel. It will dilute, delay and drag out the process until the threat is once again at Israel’s doorstep.
Simply put, Putin won’t put out the flames. He will just pour more oil on the fire and then sell an empty fire extinguisher.