- August 12, 2024
- 9:48 pm
- Middle East
Edition Haaretz reports that Russia is increasingly interfering in conflicts in the Middle East, causing serious concerns among Western countries and Israel. One diplomat involved in the talks with Israel stressed: “Russia’s interference is very worrying for us, and it should also worry Israel.” He added that cooperation between Russia and Iran will continue after the war in Ukraine, which will ultimately harm Israel as well.
Of particular concern to the United States and European countries is the possibility that Russia is using tensions in the region to advance its interests and support Iran and associated terrorist groups in their fight against Israel.
The author also recalls that since the beginning of the war in Gaza, Moscow has taken a critical stance towards Israel, showing greater friendliness towards Hamas despite the massacre of October 7. Russia continues to maintain diplomatic relations with Hamas and supported a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, despite objections from the US and Israel. In March, Russia, along with China, vetoed a US resolution on a comprehensive ceasefire, saying it was too favorable to Israel.
Haaretz has detailed growing concerns in Western countries about the growing cooperation between Russia and Iran, especially in the context of the conflict in the Middle East. A senior American source noted that Russia is increasingly supporting Iran’s “axis of resistance,” not only through its actions at the UN, but also through its increased military cooperation with Tehran.
Two diplomatic sources told Haaretz that during Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu's recent visit to Iran, the Iranian side handed over to Moscow a list of requests for help in upgrading its military capabilities, including air defense systems. Iran is concerned that the US or Israel could attack its targets if it launches military action against Israel using ballistic missiles or drones.
One diplomat involved in the talks with Israel said: “Russia’s interference is very concerning to us, and it should also be concerning to Israel.” He stressed that cooperation between Russia and Iran will not end with the end of the war in Ukraine, and that it will ultimately harm Israel as well.
Haaretz notes that Israel's neutral stance following Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine has caused considerable disappointment among Western allies. Some Western officials now argue that Israel's neutrality was a mistake, especially in light of growing cooperation between Moscow and Tehran.
The Ukrainian Embassy in Tel Aviv expressed its position, stating: “The democratic world must put an end to the aggression of the axis of evil led by Iran and Russia. First, Iran generously provided Russia with its drones for merciless attacks on civilians. And now Russia is handing over its weapons and helping Iran prepare for war with Israel.” The embassy stressed the need for the international community to unite to stop this axis of evil before the situation gets out of control.
In addition, Haaretz cites the opinion of British expert Con Coughlin, who in his article for the Telegraph argues that supporting Iran in the war with Israel could be a new strategic mistake for Vladimir Putin, similar to the invasion of Ukraine. Coughlin believes that military aid to Iran could negatively affect Putin's long-standing relations with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In his opinion, after the major mistake with Ukraine, Putin cannot afford to make another catastrophic mistake by supporting Iran in a war that Tehran has no chance of winning.
Read us in channels Israel News Nikk.Agency News from Israel V – Telegram— Facebook, — Google News
