American-Israeli war against Iran reinforces Russian leader Vladimir Putin’s long-held belief that global politics is governed by power, not rules, and that great powers have the right to act decisively in their own security interests even against global objections, writes Newsweek.
But the biggest “gift” for the Kremlin may not be territory or alliances, but time to strengthen its own position and reduce pressure on Ukraine. What other benefits does Moscow gain during the war?
US operation confirms Putin's view of right of strongest
The Russian president can point to such events as “normalizing” the removal of hostile leaders, comparing them to US and Israeli actions, and justify his war against Ukraine as playing by “the same rules.”
Attempts to remove Volodymyr Zelenskyy in 2022 and other operations around the world provide the Kremlin with additional arguments to legitimize its aggression.
Distraction of the US and limited resources
The launch of American missiles in the Persian Gulf and rising US losses divert Washington’s attention from other crises, including the war in Ukraine.
Limited supplies of PAC-3 missiles for Patriot systems that the US provides to Ukraine through NATO may be stretched amid a prolonged Middle East conflict, while Russia continues record monthly ballistic missile launches — last month there were 121.
Economic bonus for the Kremlin from Strait of Hormuz
High oil prices increase Russia’s revenues, as it exports about 5 million barrels per day. Kremlin propagandists are already openly calling the Iranian conflict a “plus for the budget,” since reduced supply allows Russia to become one of the few major oil producers, gaining a strategic “trump card.”
NATO divisions is ideal scenario for Moscow
Any prolonged conflict threatens to split the transatlantic alliance: visible disunity, diplomatic backtracking, and public disagreements create a “fragmented Western front,” a goal of Russian diplomacy for a long time.
Moscow’s chance to strengthen the Beijing bloc
If the war drags on or the US fails to show clear results, trust in American leadership in the region will suffer, allowing Moscow and China to deepen their influence and position themselves as alternative partners. A prolonged distracting crisis reduces pressure on Russia’s war in Ukraine and reinforces Putin’s harsh worldview: the strong survive, and the weak are disregarded.
