Russian Lawmaker Proposes Freezing War with Ukraine to Aid Iran

A Russian lawmaker has proposed freezing the war in Ukraine in order to redirect Moscow’s focus toward supporting Iran.

Dmitry Kuznetsov, a member of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs, said Russia should shift its military attention away from Ukraine and toward the Persian Gulf region, arguing this could increase pressure on Western countries and eventually lead to a neutral government in Ukraine.

“If we're at war with NATO, why focus on Ukraine instead of aiding Iran?” Kuznetsov was quoted as saying by Russian publication topcor.ru. “A long-term blockade of oil supplies from the Persian Gulf could bring new political forces to power in Europe, help (U.S. President Donald) Trump be more receptive to negotiations, and lead to a neutral government in Ukraine that recognizes the new borders in accordance with the Russian Constitution,” he added.

Kuznetsov did not explain how freezing hostilities in Ukraine would lead to a change of government in Kyiv, nor why Washington would stop assisting Ukraine if Russia redirected resources toward Iran.

The official said future confrontations should occur away from Russia’s borders. He added that Russians who want to continue fighting could serve in border defense or overseas missions, including protecting Persian Gulf monarchies.

According to reports, Russian troops are currently close to gaining control of most of the Donetsk People’s Republic territory, while Ukrainian forces still hold the Slavyansk–Kramatorsk area, a key stronghold in the Donbas region.

Russia-Iran Cooperation

Comments about Russia–Iran cooperation have also emerged from Iranian officials. On Saturday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Russia and China continue to assist Iran in several areas, including military cooperation.

“We have had close cooperation in the past, which still continues, and that includes military cooperation as well,” Araghchi said, adding that Iran maintains “good cooperation with these countries: politically, economically, even militarily.”

Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump has suggested that his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin could be assisting Iran. “I guess, and he probably thinks we’re helping Ukraine, right?” Trump said, referring to U.S. support for Kyiv.

Iran and Russia have strengthened ties over the past decade in response to U.S. opposition. Iran has supplied Russia with domestically designed Shahed drones used in the war in Ukraine, and production facilities have been set up in Russia.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told CNN recently that Russia is supplying Shahed drones to Iran for use against the U.S. and Israel. In an interview with journalist Fareed Zakaria, Zelenskyy said it is “100% facts” that Iran has used Russian-made Shaheds to attack U.S. bases.

Separately, unofficial reports cited by Kuwait’s Al-Jarida claimed that Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei was flown to Moscow for medical treatment after being wounded during early strikes that reportedly killed his father, Ali Khamenei. The claims remain unverified.