Putin offers to mediate Israel-Iran conflict, citing Russia's key ties

UPDATED: Jun 19, 2025 03:32 IST

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday has offered to mediate peace between Israel and Iran, positioning Moscow as a potential power broker in one of the most volatile standoffs in the Middle East.

Speaking at a roundtable with senior international news editors during the St. Petersburg Economic Forum, Putin suggested that Russia’s close ties with both Tehran and Jerusalem could help broker a deal.

“It’s a delicate issue,” Putin acknowledged, “but in my view, a solution could be found.

Putin said Moscow had already shared mediation proposals with Iran, Israel, and the United States, and emphasized Russia’s historical involvement in Iran’s civilian nuclear program, including the construction of the Bushehr nuclear plant.

But Putin’s pitch drew a pointed response from US President Donald Trump, who revealed on Wednesday that he pushed back on the idea during a phone call with the Russian leader last weekend.

“I said, ‘Do me a favor, mediate your own,’” Trump recounted. “I said, ‘Vladimir, let’s mediate Russia first. You can worry about this later.’”

The remark marks a shift in tone from Trump, who earlier in the week had said he was “open” to Putin’s proposal to help defuse the growing Israel-Iran confrontation.

Russia has long walked a diplomatic tightrope in the Middle East, cultivating deep economic and military ties with Iran while maintaining strong working relations with Israel. That balance, Putin argued, gives Moscow a unique position to mediate, reports Associated Press.

“Russia has a trusting relationship with Iran,” Putin said, highlighting its nuclear cooperation, “but we also maintain good relations with Israel.”

However, any diplomatic overture from the Kremlin is shadowed by Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine — a point not lost on either Trump or intenational observers. Putin effectively rejected Trump’s own call for a 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine, insisting such a pause would only be considered if Western arms shipments ceased and Ukraine halted its troop mobilizations.

Putin’s comments came during the St. Petersburg Economic Forum, a platform he regularly uses to project strength and attract non-Western investment. This year, Western executives were notably absent, replaced by dignitaries from Asia, Africa, Latin America, and top officials from OPEC and BRICS nations.

The Russian leader also met with former Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff, now heading the New Development Bank, and is expected to hold additional talks with leaders from Indonesia, China, South Africa, and Bahrain.

(With inputs from Associated Press)