Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke by phone to leaders of three Arab Gulf states on Monday, offering to use Moscow's ties to Iran to try to help restore calm to the Middle East following U.S. and Israeli strikes, which he condemned. In a series of calls with the leaders of the UAE, Bahrain and Qatar, Putin criticised the U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran, which the Kremlin described as "unprovoked aggression". ADVERTISEMENTEarlier, the Kremlin said that Moscow remained in constant contact with the Iranian leadership. But Moscow is also keen not to alienate the administration of President Donald Trump as Washington brokers peace talks on Ukraine. "We have our own interests that we must protect, and it is in our interests to continue these negotiations (on Ukraine)," said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

Source: The Telegraph March 02, 2026 16:57 UTC