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Russia

November 5, 2026

Moscow 12:36 am

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Russian President Vladimir Putin greets Egypt's President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi during a welcoming ceremony for participants of the Russia-Africa summit at the Grand Kremlin Palace in central Moscow, on Oct. 28, 2026.

Egypt’s Sisi, Putin meet as Russia steps up Africa push: What to know

Wednesday’s meeting comes on the sidelines of the third Russia-Africa Summit, a two-day gathering in Moscow bringing together African leaders and officials.

Security forces stand guard in front of a banner showing the Kaaba during a protest by supporters of the Houthi authorities against the Saudi intervention in Yemen and against Saudi Arabia's recent accusation that the Houthis fired at the holy city of Mecca, in Sanaa on Sept. 18, 2026.

Russian satellite data helped Yemen’s Houthis target Saudi Arabia: What to know

A report by The Associated Press found evidence that Russian satellites helped Yemen’s Houthis identify and target specific sites, including energy facilities and military bases, in Saudi Arabia.

Putin

Analysis

Putin puts Trump ahead of Iran in bid to mediate war

Anton Mardosov, reporting from Moscow, and our correspondent in Tehran assess the limits of Russian influence in Iran; Ben Caspit reports that Netanyahu could force a unity government with an attack on Iran after the elections.

Week in Review

Andrew Parasiliti

By Week in Review , Andrew Parasiliti

ANCHORAGE, ALASKA - AUGUST 15: U.S. President Donald Trump (R) walks with Russian President Vladimir Putin as they arrives at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson on August 15, 2025 in Anchorage, Alaska. The two leaders are meeting for peace talks aimed at ending the war in Ukraine. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

Analysis

Putin's Iran diplomacy faces limits as Russia eyes Ukraine concessions

As US-Iran tensions escalate, Russia is stepping up mediation efforts, hoping to gain leverage with Washington over Ukraine despite its limited influence on Tehran.

Anton Mardasov

By Anton Mardasov

Latest News

Analysis

How Lavrov's Tehran visit tests limits of Russia's influence over Iran

Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov (L) and Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrive to hold a press conference after a meeting in Tehran on October 19, 2026. The Russian foreign minister arrived in Iran on October 19, in his first visit since the outbreak of the Middle East war as Moscow seeks to play a mediating role. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP via Getty Images)

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Lavrov visits Tehran as Trump praises Russia's role on Iran: What to know

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov (L) shakes hands with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi upon his arrival in Tehran on Oct. 19, 2026.

Explainer

Russian diesel heads to Morocco as supply crunch grips global markets

Fuel prices are displayed at a petrol station in Rabat

Analysis

Pragmatic politics: Why Turkey avoids blaming Russia for Black Sea attacks

A cargo ship at the Port of Trabzon, Turkey

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Kharkiv

Analysis

Russian invasion of Ukraine scrambles Middle East diplomacy

Update from Moscow; US calls on regional allies for support against Russian attack on Ukraine; some facts on Russia.

Week in Review

By Week in Review

Libyan interim Prime Minister Fathi Bashagha delivers a speech at Mitiga International Airport in Tripoli on Feb. 10, 2022.

Russia voices support for new Libyan PM

Moscow is throwing its support behind new Prime Minister Fathi Bashagha and its belief that he can "unite Libyan society."

Syrian (front) and Russian soldiers stand at the Russian naval base in the Syrian Mediterranean port of Tartus on Sept. 26, 2019.

Russia's experience in Syria informs approach to Ukraine, NATO

The opportunity to field-test its next-generation weapons systems in recent years has emboldened the Kremlin to raise the stakes in Ukraine, and so has experience in brinkmanship with Turkey over Syria.

Members of the Belarusian Army take part in a parade at Fort Tiuna, held as part of the celebrations of the Bicentenary of the Venezuelan independence, in Caracas on April 19, 2010.

Belarus leader denies Russian claims about sending troops to Syria

Belarus’ leader has said a Russian government document claiming an agreement with Moscow to send Belarusian troops to Syria is false.

Burak Kara/Getty Images

Russian invasion of Ukraine would spell more economic turbulence for Turkey

War would bring Turkey under intense pressure from its Western allies to join putative sanctions against Russia, a critical trading partner and supplier of natural gas.

Participants gather with Ukrainian flags and flags of Crimean Tatars before riding in their cars through Kiev to commemorate the 76th anniversary of the deportation of the indigenous population of the Crimea by the Soviet Union, on May 18, 2020.

As Russia menaces Ukraine, Crimea's Tatars turn to Turkey

Complex ties stretch across centuries and continents, but Turkey's affinity for its ethnic kin is taking a backseat to global relations with Russia.

SERGEI ILYIN/Sputnik/AFP via Getty Images

Ankara reassures Moscow on eve of Erdogan’s Ukraine visit

With its president set to visit Ukraine, Turkey has reassured Russia by reiterating its commitment for a key maritime treaty safeguarding Russia's rights in the Black Sea.

Turkey Ukraine

Crisis in Ukraine: the Middle East connections

Also: Oman's foreign minister says dialogue is essential in dealing with Iran, Yemen and Syria; keeps focus on two-state solution.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (C) speaks with Saudi Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz al-Saud (R) and Saudi Arabia's Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud, Riyadh governor (L) in Riyadh, Feb. 12, 2007.

Saudi business group touts plan to improve economic ties with Russia

Russia is working to improve relations with Saudi Arabia and wants the kingdom to buy its S-400 missile defense system.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan watch honour guards passing by during a welcoming ceremony prior to their talks in Kiev on Feb. 3, 2020.

Turkish drones boost Ukrainian spirits amid fears of Russian invasion

Turkey's drones are a big morale booster for Ukraine as a potential Russian invasion looms.

Russia military

How Russian moves in Syria are linked to Moscow's Ukraine strategy

Large-scale exercises in the Mediterranean are meant both to increase capabilities in Syria and to send a message to NATO.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) speaks with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi (R) during their meeting in Moscow on Jan. 19, 2022.

Putin, Raisi look to boost trade, regional cooperation in Moscow talks

Ebrahim Raisi's trip to Moscow is unlikely to further elevate relations between the two countries.