Latest news with #Russian-speaking
Qatar Tribune
a day ago
- Politics
- Qatar Tribune
Russia condemns Israeli strikes on Iran, defends own war
The Kremlin has criticized Israel's recent airstrikes on Iran, insisting the conflict is not comparable to Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine. 'The outbreak of the conflict, actually, and the Israeli attacks on Iran were absolutely not provoked,' Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told state news agency TASS on Thursday. By contrast, he said, the background to the 'special military operation' - as Moscow calls its invasion of Ukraine - is 'well known to everyone.' Israel has defend its strikes on Iran with the need to stop the Tehran's nuclear weapons programme. The Israeli government sees the programme as a direct threat to its country. Russia, meanwhile, has justified its invasion of Ukraine by citing security concerns, including NATO expansion and the alleged oppression of Russian-speaking minorities. The attack on February 24, 2022 took place without warning - just a few days earlier, the Kremlin had publicly denied having any invasion plans. Iran is one of Russia's closest allies in the Middle East and uses Iranian-designed drones in its war on Ukraine. (DPA)
Canada News.Net
5 days ago
- Politics
- Canada News.Net
Council of Europe censures EU state for treatment of Russian speakers
Latvia's naturalization procedures for non-citizens could "fuel negative sentiment towards ethnic Russians," a recent report has suggested The European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) has reported an increase in hate speech targeting Russian speakers in Latvia in recent years, suggesting that the naturalization procedures in the EU state for non-citizens could "fuel negative sentiment." After Latvia gained independence in 1991, a large proportion of residents originating from other parts of the Soviet Union (predominantly Russians), even those who were born in the Baltic state, were issued "non-citizen" passports, which barred them from voting or working in certain jobs. The resulting ethnic division within the population was only made worse by the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022, when Latvia and its Baltic neighbors stepped up their efforts to combat Moscow's perceived influence. Riga has implemented travel restrictions targeting Russian citizens and introduced a mandatory Latvian language test for long-term residents of foreign origin. Thousands who have failed or refused to take the exam have been deported. The Kremlin has denounced the measures as "blatant discrimination." In a report published on Thursday, the European Commission stated that since February 2022, there has been a notable spike in hate speech on Latvian internet sites directed at local Russian speakers. According to the document, local authorities may be fueling this animosity with their policies. The EU watchdog singled out the country's rigorous naturalization procedures, particularly the Latvian language tests that resident non-citizens have to take if they wish to acquire citizenship in the Baltic EU member state if they were born before 1991. The report urged Riga to take "due account of individual circumstances and [provide] support as appropriate," when conducting such tests. The commission noted that as of June 2024, only 54% of applicants had passed language proficiency tests, raising concerns over the threat of forced deportation facing those who failed. The ECRI also cited complaints it had received from the Russian-speaking community in Latvia regarding the local government's decision to phase out their native language from school curriculums by 2025. The watchdog stressed that Russians, who comprise 24% of the general population in Latvia, constitute the largest ethnic minority in the country. Earlier this month, a Latvian lawmaker who is an ethnic Russian was removed from a parliamentary session for uttering a few sentences in his mother tongue during proceedings. Aleksey Roslikov of the For Stability! Party spoke out against what he described as the growing marginalization of Russian speakers in Latvia. In latte May, Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braze called on EU member states to stop issuing Schengen tourist visas to Russian citizens, citing an alleged threat to the bloc's security. Moscow has criticized Riga's measures targeting Russian speakers as "blatant discrimination," with Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova warning that Moscow could file a complaint against Latvia at the International Court of Justice.
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First Post
5 days ago
- Politics
- First Post
Iran turns to Russia after US bombing: Will Putin be of any help?
After the US bombed Iran's nuclear sites, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi rushed to Moscow for urgent talks. But while Russia condemned the strikes, President Vladimir Putin signalled neutrality due to close ties with Israel. Despite a strategic partnership, Iran may find its powerful ally unwilling to escalate, leaving Tehran more isolated than ever read more Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting with editors of the federal lineup of history textbooks for grades 5 to 11 of secondary school as well as vocational schools, at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, June 22, 2025. File Image/Sputlink via Reuters Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has travelled to Moscow for a high-level diplomatic consultation with President Vladimir Putin and other senior Russian officials. The visit, which follows US military strikes on Iran's key nuclear sites in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan under Operation Midnight Hammer, signals a critical moment in Iran-Russia ties, testing the limits of their strategic cooperation. While addressing a conference in Istanbul prior to his departure, Araghchi highlighted the importance of Iran's long-standing relationship with Russia, stating that both sides 'always consult with each other and coordinate our positions.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD His arrival in the Russian capital was announced just hours after the military operation by the United States, which used 14,000-kg bunker-buster bombs to target what Washington claims were active components of Iran's nuclear programme. The Iranian foreign minister, speaking on social media, sharply criticised the US operation. 'The United States, a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, has committed a grave violation of the UN Charter, international law and the (nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty) by attacking Iran's peaceful nuclear installations… Each and every member of the UN must be alarmed over this extremely dangerous, lawless and criminal behaviour.' He added, 'In accordance with the UN Charter and its provisions allowing a legitimate response in self-defence, Iran reserves all options to defend its sovereignty, interest, and people.' How Moscow is walking a diplomatic tightrope Though Tehran and Moscow have deepened their cooperation in recent years — particularly following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 — Putin has taken a measured stance on the recent escalation. Speaking at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Putin explained that Russia's neutrality is influenced by domestic and regional considerations, particularly the significant number of Russian-speaking citizens in Israel. 'Almost two million people from the former Soviet Union and the Russian Federation reside in Israel. It is almost a Russian-speaking country today. And, undoubtedly, we always take this into account in Russia's contemporary history.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This demographic factor, coupled with Moscow's multi-directional diplomacy in West Asia, has shaped a cautious Russian posture. The Kremlin maintains working relationships with Israel, Arab states and Islamic countries alike. With 15 per cent of its own population identifying as Muslim and holding observer status in the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Moscow continues to present itself as a neutral but influential actor in regional affairs. Although Russia condemned the US strikes on Iranian territory, calling them a violation of international law, its response has been restrained. The Russian foreign ministry stated: 'An irresponsible decision to subject the territory of a sovereign state to missile and bomb strikes, no matter what arguments it is presented with… It is particularly alarming that the strikes were carried out by a country that is a permanent member of the UN Security Council.' How the Iran-Russia relationship is a partnership with limits The strategic partnership between Iran and Russia has flourished under pressure from Western sanctions, with both countries collaborating on areas such as drone manufacturing, satellite technology, and nuclear energy. After Russia began its Ukraine invasion, Iran provided Moscow with Shahed drones, which were later used in attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure. Reports suggest that Moscow may have compensated Tehran with over $100 million worth of gold for these transactions. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Despite these developments, Putin has made clear that Iran has not sought Russian military assistance in this crisis, and their recently signed comprehensive partnership treaty does not contain any provisions related to defence cooperation. As Putin explained, the agreement focuses on non-military collaboration. Russia's posture also indicates it will not escalate its involvement beyond diplomacy. Iran, on its part, has declared that it will not return to the negotiating table until it has retaliated. Araghchi has added Iran was already at the negotiating table and it was the US and Israel who 'blew up' talks. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi addresses a special session of the Human Rights Council at the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, June 20, 2025. File Image/Reuters While Moscow has attempted to act as a mediator, US President Donald Trump declined such efforts. When Putin offered to mediate between Iran and Israel, Trump dismissed the proposal: 'Do me a favour, mediate your own. Let's mediate Russia first. You can worry about this later.' How the conflict has put Moscow in a dilemma Following recent losses in Syria — where rebels toppled Bashar al-Assad, a long-time Russian ally — the perception that Moscow is pulling back from full-scale commitments in West Asia has only grown stronger. Even as Russia continues its cooperation with Iran in certain strategic sectors, including local production of Iranian drone designs, it has avoided deeper military entanglement. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Kremlin has historically been cautious about Iran crossing the nuclear threshold, wary of losing leverage over Tehran and provoking further US military action in the region. Meanwhile, the geopolitical fallout is benefiting Moscow in some respects. The intensification of hostilities in the region has distracted international attention from Ukraine. At the G7 summit in Canada, global powers opted not to lower the price ceiling on Russian oil, which remains capped at $60 per barrel — a potential boon to Russia's oil-dependent economy. Iran's foreign minister's visit to Moscow reflects a need for diplomatic cover and strategic reassurance at a time when Tehran finds itself increasingly isolated. Iran expects Russia to take a more active role both in the UN Security Council and in the region amid heightened tensions with the United States, foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said on Monday. Yet Russia, despite condemning US actions, has offered no indications that it will go beyond rhetoric. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With inputs from agencies
News18
5 days ago
- Politics
- News18
‘Two Million People Of Soviet Union Reside In Israel': Putin Responds Why Russia Is Not Helping Iran
Last Updated: Putin stated Moscow is neutral in the Iran-US conflict, noting the Russian-speaking population in Israel and Russia's friendly ties with Arab and Islamic nations. Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Moscow is maintaining a neutral stance in the conflict between Iran and the US, which recently saw US strikes on Iran's nuclear sites due to the significant presence of Russian-speaking populations in Israel. Russia and Iran have had close ties for decades. Putin said he is trying to stay neutral in the conflict, as a large number of Russian-speaking people live in Israel. During a St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Putin said, 'I would like to draw your attention to the fact that almost two million people from the former Soviet Union and the Russian Federation reside in Israel. It is almost a Russian-speaking country today. And, undoubtedly, we always take this into account in Russia's contemporary history." Putin: 'Israel today is almost a Russian-speaking country, 2 million people from the Soviet Union and Russia live there. We take that into account." — Open Source Intel (@Osint613) June 21, 2025 Putin also dismissed critics questioning Russia's loyalty to its allies, labelling them 'provocateurs." He emphasised Russia's long-standing friendly relations with Arab and Islamic nations, noting that Muslims comprise 15% of Russia's population. He further noted that Russia was also an observer in the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). In a late-night address to the nation on Saturday, Trump said, 'There will be either peace or there will be tragedy for Iran far greater than we have witnessed over the last eight days. Remember, there are many targets left. If peace does not come quickly, we will go after those other targets with precision, speed and skill." In retaliation, Iran launched several missiles against Israel. Iran Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said the country won't return to peace talks or diplomacy until it has retaliated first. He added Iran was already at the negotiating table, and it was the US and Israel who 'blew up" talks. Earlier, Putin offered to mediate a ceasefire deal between Iran and Israel; however, US President Donald Trump rejected the offer, saying, 'Do me a favour, mediate your own. Let's mediate with Russia first. You can worry about this later." First Published: June 23, 2025, 12:30 IST
NDTV
5 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
Putin Was Asked Why Russia Is Not Helping Iran. His Reply
Russian President Vladimir Putin has explained why Moscow is staying on the sidelines instead of directly coming to Tehran's rescue, even after the US targeted Iran's nuclear sites. While Russia and Iran have had close ties for decades, Putin said he is trying to stay neutral in the conflict as a large number of Russian-speaking people live in Israel. During a St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Putin said, "I would like to draw your attention to the fact that almost two million people from the former Soviet Union and the Russian Federation reside in Israel. It is almost a Russian-speaking country today. And, undoubtedly, we always take this into account in Russia's contemporary history." Putin: 'Israel today is almost a Russian-speaking country, 2 million people from the Soviet Union and Russia live there. We take that into account.' — Open Source Intel (@Osint613) June 21, 2025 Putin also pushed back at critics who questioned Russia's loyalty toward its allies. He called them "provocateurs" and said that Russia's relations with both Arab nations and Islamic countries had been friendly for a long time, emphasising that 15 per cent of Russia's population is Muslim. He further noted that Russia was also an observer in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). His comments came after the US sent 14,000-kg bunker-buster bombs and carried out Operation Midnight Hammer, attacking Iran's key military sites of Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. Trump hailed the strikes as "a spectacular military success" and claimed that Iran's main nuclear enrichment facilities had been "completely and totally obliterated." In retaliation, Iran launched several missiles against Israel. Iran Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said the country won't return to peace talks or diplomacy until it has retaliated first. He added Iran was already at the negotiating table and it was the US and Israel who "blew up" talks. Earlier, Putin offered to mediate a ceasefire deal between Iran and Israel; however, US President Donald Trump rejected the offer, saying, "Do me a favour, mediate your own. Let's mediate Russia first. You can worry about this later."
