Russia is a key member of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation, which serves as Eurasia’s version of NATO. It also provides security and military support to emerging markets, especially in Africa, and has long-standing security relations with countries such as India and, increasingly, North Korea and China. We detail security and military developments as a key part of Russia’s own security as well as being part of its export trade.
The Iranian Foreign Minister is visiting Russia and meeting President Putin to examine ways to end the war with the United States. With US President Trump seemingly unable to enact coherent strategy to end the conflict, it appears Putin is the deal-maker for regional peace. The question then becomes the price to be paid by the United States and the European Union.
The Russian Defense Minister has been visiting Pyongyang and meeting with North Korea’s top military officials, as well as the President, Kim Jong-un, with the two sides agreeing a strategic military alliance to 2031.
Iran has stated it will only allow ships from Russia, China, India, Pakistan and Iraq through the Strait of Hormuz. We look at the wider implications as the conflict spreads beyond military force and is now being impacted by anti-conflict Western financiers with specific implications for Europe, Asia and the United States. Western politicians are no longer being supported by their own backers.
Russian logistics operators and shipping companies have found themselves in demand in Saudi Arabia due to their expertise in developing new supply chain routes in the wake of sanctions and handling regional conflicts. With the Strait of Hormuz remaining closed for Saudi exports, Russian and Saudi logistics professionals have been working the problem and coming up with creative solutions. It is a trend likely to impact future supply chains in the Middle East, Eurasia, Southeast Asia and Africa.
The Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations has sent a train consisting of 31 wagons with humanitarian aid for Iran comprising over 300 tonnes of medicines and medical supplies. Thus far, over 1,407 Iranian civilians, and over 210 children have been killed in US and Israeli airstrikes on the country.
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India has placed a US$25 billion defence sector order with Russia for various military equipment including S‑400 air defence missile systems, various types of aircraft, and artillery systems, as part of a rapid military modernization drive. India is the world’s fifth‑largest military spender.
Russia has delivered 29 tons of humanitarian aid to Mozambique, sent via the huge Ilyushin IL-76 transport aircraft. The airlift delivered food supplies, essential items, as well as tents and blankets for the population affected by flooding in Mozambique.
The Russian Defense Minister, Andrei Belousov, has been visiting Togo to discuss military and security cooperation. The country provides access to the volatile Sahel region, and also provides a West African Port of strategic interesst to the Russian Navy.
Israel has bombed the Russian Culture Centre in Lebanon, flattening the building. No-one was in the building at the time of its collapse. Moscow has called the attack an “unprovoked act of aggression”.
With the FIFA World Cup Soccer Finals due to start in just 100 days, and the world in conflict and turmoil, we look at each of the tournaments participating countries, their relations with the United States, and examine just how likely calls for cancellation, boycotting or even completing the event as planned actually are.
Russia’s President Putin has met with the Central African Republic President Faustin-Archange Touadera in Moscow. The two sides discussed bilateral cooperation, including security, economic ties, and humanitarian issues, also signing an agreement to establish an Intergovernmental Commission for Trade, Economic, Scientific, and Technical Cooperation.
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