What did the Iranian minister ask of Putin?

It is unlikely that the Iranian foreign minister flew to Putin a few hours after the strikes on his country just to jointly “condemn the illegitimate actions” of the United States and Israel. The most obvious explanation is that Iran sent Moscow a request for military assistance.

And here a serious problem arises for the Kremlin. The obviousness of such a request is clear to everyone, including in the Global South. Iran has already done a great deal to provide military support to Russia in its war against Ukraine. It was Iranian kamikaze drones that turned missile terror into an everyday reality for Ukrainian cities. It is Iran that has become not only a supplier of drones for Russia, but also an official strategic partner. It joined the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the BRICS, siding with the Kremlin in all possible international formats.

So, according to all the unspoken rules, Putin simply has no moral (and most importantly, political) right to refuse. After all, if Iran really needs help and doesn't get it, it will send a signal to all of the Kremlin's other allies. And for those who still doubt whether to join it.

This will not be just a diplomatic blow. It will be proof of the devaluation of all Putin's “guarantees.” Iran and Syria will become symbols of how Moscow betrays even those who fight on its side.

Moscow cannot but realize this. But Russia does not have free air defense systems that can be deployed to Iran. In order for them to appear, it is necessary either to increase production or to stop the war and take these systems from the Ukrainian front. And against this background, Trump is also demonstrating what he can do when he ceases to believe in the prospects of the negotiation process...

In short, Israel and the United States have put the Kremlin in a difficult position. Of course, we would like to see Putin withdraw his troops from Ukraine and move them somewhere to face Israeli missiles and American bombs. If this is why the Iranian minister flew to Moscow, then this scenario, although unlikely, is not impossible.

Because in any other case, all countries of the Global South will see the real value of Russian promises. They will see what a “partnership” with the Kremlin looks like. They will see that even if you save Putin, he will not save you. And we will see what will happen in reality very soon.

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About the author. Mykola Kniazhytskyi, journalist, Ukrainian MP

The editorial team does not always share the opinions expressed by the blog or column authors.