₦airaland Forum

Russia's Track Record Raises Questions About Reliability as an Ally

Despite multiple defense agreements with Iran, Russia has once again demonstrated its inconsistency as a dependable ally, notably remaining on the sidelines during the current Israeli airstrikes targeting Iran.

This pattern of inaction is not new. In the past, Russia distanced itself from allies under fire—failing to support Saddam Hussein during the Gulf War and the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq. Similarly, Russia withheld support for Muammar Gaddafi during NATO’s intervention in Libya, which ultimately led to his ousting. Most recently, Moscow took no significant action to shield Bashar al-Assad when Israeli air raids struck Syrian territory, despite their alliance.

These repeated instances highlight a growing perception of Russia as an unreliable strategic partner in times of critical military need.

As the direct conflict between Israel and Iran stretches into its fourth day, members of the Russian establishment are coming to the realization that it could destroy the country’s closest ally in the Middle East — the second to fall in less than a year

When Israel began bombarding Iran’s nuclear facilities early Friday and killing its commanders, some in the Moscow elite initially saw it as an opportunity for Russia.

“Only a summit between Russia and the U.S., between Putin and Trump, can keep the world from catastrophe,” said influential Moscow tycoon Konstantin Malofeyev, suggesting that Russia could use its long-standing relationship with Iran to bring it to the table for a nuclear deal in return for the United States withdrawing its support for Ukraine.

[b][/b]
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-06-17/russia-watches-israel-iran-crisis-with-few-tools-to-intervene
https://www.dw.com/en/why-russia-hesitates-to-help-iran-in-conflict-with-israel/a-72941338

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/06/16/russia-iran-israel-attack-unease/

Putin is a con man. Putting your hope on Putin is like relying on a beautiful woman as a man thinking she will come to your aid in time of need .

If this is true, Burkina Faso is on a long thing oo

Putin does not and has never supported terrorists.

Show me one terrorist Putin has supported?

Na now him wan start?

haggai247:
Putin does not and has never supported terrorists.

Show me one terrorist Putin has supported?

Na now him wan start?

Russia has had its fair share of SENSELESS killings by islamic terrorists too. 😀😀😀

You think Russia too wants Iran to have nuclear weapons?..
Forget alll those signed documents and formalities, people don't trust those guys with "weapons of mass destruction".

U dnt understand.Russia is fighting a war wit Ukraine n need all d help they can get.It will be unwise to use their resources to help Iran

bdon123:
U dnt understand.Russia is fighting a war wit Ukraine n need all d help they can get.It will be unwise to use their resources to help Iran

But Iran helped with the drones , it is clear to every one that Putin no follow

Russia and it past leaders have never been involved in a direct confrontation with Israel. I doubt Putin will be that stupid

Russia that can't defeat ordinary Ukraine. You want it to join enter into another battle on the side of Iran. Lol.

Slytiger:
Russia that can't defeat ordinary Ukraine. You want it to join enter into another battle on the side of Iran. Lol.

That's not how it works.

Russia can nuke Israel and end it all in 5 minutes.

Do you know Russia has more nukes than America?

Kushites:
That's not how it works.

Russia can nuke Israel and end it all in 5 minutes.

Do you know Russia has more nukes than America?

And Israel doesn't have nukes abi?
Or they don't have their own big brother (USA) that will nuke Russia back..

You think dropping a nuke is child's play
Don't make me laugh.

Kushites:
That's not how it works.

Russia can nuke Israel and end it all in 5 minutes.

Do you know Russia has more nukes than America?

What a naive statement.. Ordinary Ukraine that doesn't hv nukes.. Russian still battling with them more than 2 years naw

Whoever wrote this, is ignorant of the kind of agreement and partnerships Russia had with these countries. In the case of Syria, Russia was the reason why Assad remained in power for so long and in doing so, they were supported by Iran. When the recent conflict broke out, Russia tried as much as possible to help stabilize the front line by bombing most of the terrorists but couldn't do more than that because Assad's army had sold him out to Turkey. They kept retreating for no reason until the terrorists took total control of the country. Russia made it clear that they would not allow their troops fight if the Syrian army themselves refused to fight. When it was obvious that Assad had been betrayed, Russia had to quickly evacuate him from his country to Russia, to save him.

In the case of Iran, Russia has a strategic partnership with Iran which does not include taking military action against whoever Iran is at war with. At best, supply of weapons and air defense systems are all they can provide. This is so because Russia maintains cordial relationships with a lot of countries in the middle east and would suddenly not become an enemy to those of them in conflict with Iran. Only Belarus and North Korea, have a comprehensive military agreement with Russia that would see Russia having to take military action in defense of both countries. This is separate from the collective security defense agreement with the members of the CSTO countries.

Despite the close cooperation between China and Russia, they don't have defense agreements that would make each party, enter into military defense actions in favor of either of them.