Sources: 
Russian President Vladimir Putin has offered to mediate between Israel and Iran amid rising tensions, quickly reaching out to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to propose his role as a peacemaker.
However, this bid has been met with skepticism and outright rejection from key international figures, notably French President Emmanuel Macron. Macron has pushed back against the idea of Putin serving as a neutral mediator, citing Moscow's close alliance with Tehran and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine as major obstacles.
Experts note that "Moscow's closeness to Iran and Russia's invasion of Ukraine raise doubts about what kind of role he can play," undermining Russia's credibility in the delicate Middle East peace process.
Putin's attempt to position Russia as a peacemaker is complicated by the geopolitical realities of the Ukraine war, which has strained Russia's relations with Western countries and cast suspicion on its intentions.
"Moscow's much closer alliance with Tehran this time around could disqualify it from playing the role of trusted mediator," analysts say, highlighting the challenges Russia faces in gaining international trust.
Macron's rejection reflects broader concerns about Russia's impartiality and the impact of its foreign policy actions on its ability to influence peace negotiations in the region.
As tensions between Israel and Iran escalate, the question of who can effectively mediate remains critical, with Russia's role increasingly questioned due to its entanglements in Ukraine and alliances in the Middle East.
Sources: French President Emmanuel Macron has rejected Russian President Vladimir Putin’s offer to mediate between Israel and Iran, citing Moscow’s close ties to Tehran and the ongoing Ukraine war, which undermine Russia’s credibility as a neutral peacemaker in the Middle East conflict.
