Russia: Politics

Domestic

Russian diplomatic activity focused on Middle East mediation and past negotiations. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that Russia had agreed to serious compromises during earlier talks in Anchorage. Separately, Lavrov discussed the regional situation with Iran's foreign minister, labeling demands for solely Iran to halt uranium enrichment as unrealistic. President Vladimir Putin engaged with Gulf leaders, including the President of the United Arab Emirates, discussing the regional escalation. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov noted that Putin had previously offered Russia's mediation before the latest escalation, with Putin calling for a rapid end to hostilities during these calls.

International

The killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, attributed in reports to the United States and Israel, drew strong diplomatic responses. Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned the act as a cynical murder and violation of norms, offering condolences to Iran's President Pezeshkian and urging an immediate halt to hostilities. Chinese officials similarly condemned the killing, with a vice foreign minister conveying condolences at the Iranian embassy. Both Russia and China called for an immediate ceasefire and a negotiated end to the conflict, though reports indicated their responses were largely confined to diplomatic condemnation. In other matters, Russian media and Donald Trump criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, with Russian officials calling him an obstacle to peace and Trump urging him to secure a deal with Russia. Zelensky commented on Russia-Iran relations, calling Putin a weak ally to Iranians.