(MOSCOW, RUSSIA) – A marked divergence has emerged between the Russian press and the official Kremlin stance regarding the escalating conflict in Iran. While several Russian publications have launched sharp critiques against Donald Trump, the Russian dictator, Vladimir Putin, has notably avoided public condemnation. This strategic silence suggests a desire by the Kremlin to preserve relations with the United States leader in anticipation of geopolitical advantages for Moscow.
The publication Muskovsky Komsomolets recently characterised Donald Trump as a supplicant following a telephone conversation with the Russian dictator. The paper argued that although it would be an overstatement to describe the American leader as humiliated or meek, he is undeniably in a position of need. According to the report, Donald Trump requires assistance to extract himself from a toxic political situation created by his own perceived arrogance and recklessness. Conversely, the Russian dictator is viewed as holding a significantly strengthened hand because the miscalculations of his American counterpart have multiplied the political advantages available to Moscow.
Muskovsky Komsomolets further suggested that Donald Trump previously operated under an illusion of total power, attempting to subjugate his adversaries based on the severity of the problems they presented. However, in Iran, a nation of 92 million people, he has encountered an opponent that may prove too formidable. In contrast, the official Russian government newspaper presented a more restrained account under a headline noting a call to the Kremlin. This state publication confirmed that the US president initiated the contact but omitted any mention of arrogance or strategic errors. Instead, it focused on the discussion of critical international issues and noted that the Russian dictator offered several suggestions intended to facilitate a rapid conclusion to the Iranian hostilities.
The conflict in Iran appears to be providing Russia with significant financial leverage. A headline in Kommersant, playing on the word for barrels of oil, indicated that Donald Trump has promised to lift certain sanctions on Russia. Following the telephonic exchange, the American president reportedly pledged to remove and refrain from reimposing oil sanctions on specific nations provided that peace is achieved. Moscow and its Asian partners are expected to be the primary beneficiaries, as sanctions on the Russian tanker fleet could be eased. Such a development would lead to a substantial increase in export earnings for the Kremlin.
This potential economic relief comes at a critical time for the Russian economy, which has faced severe strain. Muskovsky Komsomolets reports that one in three small business owners in the country is considering a permanent closure or the sale of their firms. Furthermore, data from Kommersant reveals that the federal budget deficit for January and February rose to 1.5% of Gross Domestic Product. This deficit reached 3.45 trillion rubles, which is approximately 43.55 billion US dollars. This figure nearly represents the total planned deficit for the entire year, a shortfall attributed to declining oil and gas revenues alongside a significant surge in early year spending. Nevertheless, observers suggest that global events may soon drive these energy revenues higher.
The Russian press has also addressed why Moscow is not providing direct military assistance to Iran. Reports clarify that, unlike the arrangement with North Korea, there is no formal military pact with Tehran. While Russia continues the delivery and maintenance of previously supplied military hardware and offers robust diplomatic support, its primary military objective remains the war in Ukraine. The Kremlin continues to direct its principal resources toward the frontline in Ukraine, where significant international negotiations regarding the so-called special military operation are ongoing. Success in the Ukrainian theatre remains the absolute priority for the Russian dictator.
Finally, Vedomosti has scrutinised the impact of the Iranian strikes on American diplomacy. The publication argues that Donald Trump has not only undermined the Iranian government but also damaged the credibility of his own diplomatic team, specifically mentioning Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff. This is significant for Moscow because these same individuals, who were unable or unwilling to prevent the collapse of talks with Iran, are the primary interlocutors for Russia. The paper concludes that a consistent theme in Washington’s foreign policy is a refusal to provide guarantees or engage in dialogue on equal terms, a trend that the current administration appears unlikely to change.
