"Putin Will Try To Trade Air."
- 13.06.2025, 16:05
What the US and Russia will do amid escalation in the Middle East.
Deputy Director of the Center for Middle East Studies Sergey Danilov explained in a commentary for ZN.UA what the Russian leadership will do against the backdrop of Israel's strikes on Iran. In his opinion, Vladimir Putin will try to make himself look like a mediator and a real player in the Middle East, although he has no real influence on the Iranians.
"Putin will try to make himself look like a guarantor or a mediator. Trading air, to put it simply. After all, he has no real influence over the Iranians. And rubbing his hands on high oil prices, of course. He will try to present Russia as a real player in the Middle East," he pointed out.
Danilov noted that Putin is very favorable to Iran, which is cornered, but in which the regime will remain in place. However, this is not guaranteed, he added.
Danilov believes Moscow will help Tehran and try to make the most of the situation. However, he doubts that the Russians can really help the Iranians in any way.
As for the role of the US in the conflict, the expert reminded that the US has already promised to defend Israel. However, they will primarily protect their own bases, particularly in Bahrain, Qatar and Jordan. In his opinion, the US is now trying to create a coalition of countries that would join them, but with European allies, particularly France and Britain.
"It will be interesting to watch how the Trump administration will get feedback on its clumsy policy toward European countries, now that they will need (them)," Danilov noted.
He also pointed out that Iran will undoubtedly succeed in dragging its proxies, particularly Lebanon's Hezbollah, into the war. However, there are questions about their capabilities.
"The Husis remain capable. Iraqi proxies have some capability. A wake-up call for Israel is the announcement by (Iraqi Shiite leader) Muqtada al-Sadr, who has the support of most of Iraq's Shiites. Who, by the way, has opposed Iranian interference in Iraqi affairs. But now he has sharply condemned the Israeli attack and said this is war. And here this Shiite consalidation is dangerous," the expert explained.
But, according to him, the question of their solvency arises again. After the loss of Syria and Lebanon, after Hezbollah lost its positions, they do not have many opportunities, summarized Danilov.
We recall that Tehran refused to participate in the negotiations with the United States on the nuclear program, scheduled for June 15. At the same time, President Donald Trump has already urged Tehran to conclude a new nuclear deal, warning that the consequences of abandoning the deal would be "much worse than any expectations." He added that Iran must strike a deal "to save what was once known as the Iranian Empire."