What does Russia want from the Middle East?

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov (L) and Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani in Doha, Feb. 26, 2025. ©Russian Foreign Ministry Press Service via AP

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov embarked on a diplomatic tour across the Middle East, with the primary objective of strengthening bilateral relations, discussing pressing regional issues, and fostering strategic cooperation. His itinerary included three key capitals, each playing a significant role in the geopolitical landscape of the region.

The first stop was Ankara, where Lavrov held talks with his Turkish counterpart, Hakan Fidan, covering a broad range of topics, including bilateral cooperation, regional security, and trade and economic relations. This was followed by a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, during which special attention was given to the Syrian settlement, the dynamics of Russian-Turkish relations, and coordination efforts within multilateral frameworks.

The next destination was Tehran, where Lavrov met with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and later held discussions with President Masoud Pezeshkian. The talks focused on energy partnerships, the development of transport corridors, and collaboration on the international stage, particularly concerning sanctions pressure and the alignment of positions within various multilateral organizations.

The final leg of the tour took Lavrov to Doha, the capital of Qatar. There, he engaged in negotiations with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, followed by a meeting with the country’s prime minister and foreign minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani. The discussions centered on energy cooperation, investment partnerships, and joint initiatives aimed at addressing regional crises.

Notably, the selection of these three countries for the tour underscores the context of Syria, where Moscow remains actively engaged both diplomatically and politically. Türkiye, Iran, and Qatar are pivotal players in the Syrian settlement process, and their positions will be crucial in shaping the region’s future. Despite Western assertions that Moscow’s influence in Syria has waned following the departure of Bashar Assad, Russia continues its dialogue with the new Syrian leadership under Ahmad al-Sharaa. This reaffirms Russia’s steadfast strategic course in the Middle East and its commitment to maintaining a significant role in regional affairs, safeguarding its interests, and proposing diplomatic solutions amid an evolving balance of power.

What was discussed in Ankara?

During his visit to Türkiye, Lavrov held talks with Erdogan and Fidan. The discussions focused on bilateral cooperation, the situation in Syria, the Ukraine conflict, and broader regional developments, including the escalation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Despite a complex history and existing disagreements, Russia and Türkiye continue to develop their partnership. Ankara remains a crucial trade and economic partner for Moscow and plays a key mediating role in international negotiations. Erdogan has repeatedly emphasized Türkiye’s ambition to serve as a diplomatic bridge between Russia and the West, and in this context, Türkiye reaffirmed its willingness to facilitate dialogue between Moscow and Kiev by offering itself as a negotiation platform.

However, an equally critical issue on the agenda was the Syrian settlement. Moscow continues to maintain its influence in Syria despite the recent political transition in Damascus, where the leadership of Assad has been replaced by a new administration under al-Sharaa. While Western countries have attempted to frame this change as a weakening of Russia’s position, Moscow has swiftly adapted to the new reality, establishing ties with the new Syrian authorities and maintaining its active diplomatic and military presence in the region.

For Ankara, the Syrian issue remains strategically important, given its concerns over Kurdish armed groups, refugee flows, and the necessity of securing its position in northern Syria. Despite tactical disagreements, Russia and Türkiye remain engaged in dialogue on Syria, as both sides recognize the importance of stability and maintaining control over their respective spheres of influence.

The discussions also covered broader Middle Eastern issues, particularly the ongoing escalation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Moscow has traditionally maintained a balanced stance, supporting a two-state solution and actively engaging with Arab nations in the region. Meanwhile, Türkiye seeks to strengthen its influence in the Islamic world, leveraging the conflict in Gaza to enhance its regional leadership.

Notably, against the backdrop of Lavrov’s tour, a closed-door meeting between Russian and US representatives took place on February 27 at the US Consulate General in Istanbul. While no official statements were made regarding the substance of these talks, reports suggest that the key topic was the potential restoration of diplomatic communication channels between Moscow and Washington.

Naturally, the primary focus was on bilateral relations, the Ukraine conflict, and regional security. Despite the harsh public rhetoric, the very fact that the discussions took place indicates that both Washington and Moscow, despite the deep crisis in their relations, acknowledge the necessity of certain mechanisms for interaction. It is likely that the talks addressed the risks of further escalation in Ukraine, security concerns in Syria, and potential areas of cooperation in other regions. The meeting in Istanbul also suggests that the West may be interested in re-establishing diplomatic engagement with Moscow, even if only in a limited capacity.

Guests from Moscow are always welcome in Tehran

Lavrov’s visit to Iran marked a significant milestone in Russian-Iranian relations, highlighting the ongoing movement toward closer cooperation amid mounting external pressure. Lavrov’s discussions with Pezeshkian and Araghchi covered a wide range of topics, from bilateral trade and economic cooperation to the situation in Syria and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

One of the key factors driving the intensification of Russian-Iranian political ties is the renewed wave of pressure from the administration of US President Donald Trump, which has once again ramped up sanctions and diplomatic constraints on Tehran. In response to this escalating pressure, Iran is increasingly turning to strategic partnership with Moscow, seeking support in countering Western influence and strengthening coordination on the international stage.

The signing of a new intergovernmental treaty between Russia and Iran in January laid the foundation for deeper cooperation across various sectors, from economic and energy collaboration to military and political engagement. The talks in Tehran reaffirmed the commitment of both nations to solidifying their strategic alliance, utilizing existing multilateral platforms such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), BRICS, and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), which offer Iran additional opportunities for economic integration and diplomatic insulation from Western sanctions.

Lavrov’s visit also took place against the backdrop of escalating tensions between Iran and Israel. While Tehran remains interested in de-escalation, it continues to face increasing pressure from the Israeli authorities, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who – backed by Washington – pursues a hardline anti-Iranian policy.

In this volatile environment, Russia is positioning itself not only as a strategic partner to Iran but also as a potential mediator in regional conflicts, particularly concerning the Syrian settlement. It is evident that Moscow is working to bridge the gap between Tehran and the new leadership in Damascus under al-Sharaa. The recent transition in Syria has introduced new dynamics into the regional balance of power, and Russia, maintaining its influence in the country, is now seeking to establish new mechanisms for cooperation between Iran and the new Syrian government.

Despite its deep involvement in the Syrian conflict, Tehran is also exploring avenues for engagement with the new Syrian leadership. This could contribute to reducing regional tensions, as Iran aims to avoid further escalation amid Israeli threats and continued US pressure.

Beyond political affairs, Lavrov and Iranian officials devoted particular attention to expanding bilateral economic cooperation. With both Russia and Iran under Western sanctions, the two nations are working to enhance trade, particularly in the energy and transportation sectors. Joint projects could help Iran mitigate the negative effects of economic restrictions by providing access to alternative financial and logistical mechanisms, while Moscow sees an opportunity to further solidify its economic presence in the region.

The talks also touched upon the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as well as developments in Lebanon and Afghanistan. Sharing similar positions on these issues, Russia and Iran are coordinating their diplomatic efforts to increase their influence over regional dynamics.

Lavrov’s visit to Tehran reaffirmed that Russian-Iranian relations are deepening, transitioning into a phase of comprehensive strategic partnership. The growing anti-Iranian stance of Washington and Israel is inevitably pushing Tehran toward even closer ties with Moscow, including both diplomatic and military cooperation.

At the same time, Moscow is leveraging this moment to expand its footprint in the Middle East, facilitating dialogue between Tehran and the new authorities in Damascus while strengthening economic collaboration. As Western pressure continues to mount, the Russian-Iranian alliance is becoming an increasingly significant factor in global politics, shaping the regional balance of power in profound ways.

There’s always something to discuss in Doha

On February 26, Lavrov visited Doha. In addition to bilateral cooperation, the discussions centered on pressing regional and global challenges, including the conflict in Gaza, the situation in Syria, the broader dynamics of Middle Eastern politics, and the Ukraine conflict.

In recent years, Qatar has pursued a pragmatic foreign policy strategy, focused on diversifying partnerships beyond its traditional ties with the US and the EU. Russia, China, India, and other major economies have become key pillars of Doha’s efforts to establish stable economic and political relationships. Against this backdrop, Russian-Qatari cooperation has reached a new level, as evidenced by growing investment projects and a deepening political dialogue.

Lavrov announced that the Russian Direct Investment Fund and Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund are preparing joint energy projects worth over $1 billion. Qatari investors are already among the largest shareholders in Russia energy giant Rosneft, while Doha itself serves as the headquarters for the Gas Exporting Countries Forum, underscoring its significance in the global energy sector. However, cooperation between Moscow and Doha extends beyond economic interests. Qatar has played an active role in mediation efforts related to the Ukraine crisis, particularly in humanitarian initiatives such as reuniting Russian and Ukrainian children with their families. This highlights the evolving role of Gulf monarchies as key intermediaries in global conflicts, and Moscow appears to welcome these initiatives, recognizing Doha as a potential partner in a range of international issues.

One of the key topics of discussion was Syria. The change in leadership in Damascus in December 2024 marked a new phase in Syrian politics, with al-Sharaa gradually shaping the country’s foreign policy agenda. Moscow is particularly interested in stabilizing the situation, especially in the context of maintaining its military presence and the operation of its bases in Syria.

Another critical topic was the escalation in Gaza and Lebanon. Both Moscow and Doha expressed concern over Israel’s ongoing military operation in Gaza and strikes on southern Lebanon. Lavrov stressed that these actions contradict UN Security Council resolutions and peace agreements between Israel, Hamas, and Hezbollah.

Qatar plays a crucial role in mediating the conflict between Israel and Hamas, facilitating negotiations and humanitarian initiatives. With its unique channels of communication with various factions, including Palestinian organizations, Doha has emerged as an important diplomatic player. Russia, which has traditionally supported a two-state solution, remains committed to resolving the conflict, though maintaining a balanced approach between Israel and Arab states is becoming increasingly difficult in the current climate.

Another factor contributing to regional instability is the growing tension between Iran and Israel. Moscow may see Doha as an additional channel for engagement in the region.

Qatar’s role as a mediator, its economic power, and its ability to engage with various political forces in the region make Doha an increasingly valuable partner for Moscow. In recent years, Gulf states have significantly enhanced their global standing, and Moscow now views Arab monarchies as an important new factor in international politics.

A new political course in Damascus: Pragmatism and the pursuit of stability

Syria is undergoing significant political changes that are shaping a new reality for both the country itself and its key partners, including Russia. The recent phone conversation between Russian President Vladimir Putin and al-Sharaa was a strong signal that Moscow acknowledges the new political landscape in Damascus and is prepared to engage with the new authorities in a pragmatic and constructive manner.

Following the annulment of the 2012 constitution and the dissolution of the old security structures, Syria has entered a new phase of political transformation. Al-Sharaa has announced plans to establish conditions for presidential elections within the next four to five years, reflecting the new leadership’s commitment to building a stable and legitimate political system.

Notably, the new Syrian government is demonstrating pragmatism by fostering dialogue with Moscow while remaining guided by its own national interests. This is a natural course of action – during a transitional period, Syria seeks international support while maintaining sovereignty over its decision-making processes.

Moscow understands that Syria’s new leadership will not adhere to the previous patterns of engagement but will instead act based on the country’s evolving political, economic, and social realities following more than a decade of conflict. In this context, it is crucial for Russia not only to preserve its influence but also to adapt its strategy to the new Syrian landscape by offering pragmatic cooperation, particularly in economic and humanitarian spheres.

During the conversation, Putin reaffirmed Russia’s willingness to support the improvement of Syria’s socio-economic conditions. This likely implies assistance in infrastructure and energy projects, as well as participation in the reconstruction of the war-torn economy. Given the current international landscape, attracting investments and strengthening trade and economic ties are critical for Damascus, and Moscow remains one of its key partners in this regard.

A significant milestone in this transition was the first nationwide dialogue forum initiated by Syria’s new leadership. Held in Raqqa, the event underscored Damascus’ efforts to foster internal political consensus. However, the absence of representatives from the US-backed Kurdish Autonomous Administration highlights ongoing political rifts within the country.

Kurdish leaders continue to emphasize the need for dialogue, but their exclusion from the official political process suggests that divisions within Syria remain deep-seated. Mazloum Abdi, the commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), and Afeen Soweid, co-chair of the Democratic Autonomous Administration, stress the importance of including all Syrian factions in the political process. However, in practice, there remains a notable distance between Kurdish structures and the new government in Damascus.

Syria’s transitional period presents both challenges and opportunities for its new government and its international partners, including Russia. Moscow understands that al-Sharaa and his administration will prioritize Syria’s national interests, making it necessary for Russia to adapt its approach accordingly. The Kremlin is likely to focus on pragmatic cooperation with Damascus, emphasizing economic reconstruction and the preservation of Russia’s strategic foothold in the region.

Thus, Syria’s political transformation introduces both new risks and new opportunities for Russia. The success of Russian-Syrian relations during this transitional period will depend on Moscow’s ability to navigate these changes flexibly, ensuring regional stability while safeguarding its strategic interests.

Russia’s proactive engagement on the international stage reflects its multi-vector diplomatic strategy. Moscow continues to strengthen ties with key Middle Eastern players – Türkiye, Iran, and Qatar – solidifying its influence in a region that is becoming increasingly significant amid global transformations.

Trump’s Dressing Down of Zelensky Plays Into Putin’s War Aims

President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia in Moscow this week, in a photograph released by Russian state media. One analyst said that given the spat between Washington and Kyiv, “Russia will be willing to keep fighting for longer, and more bitterly.” Credit...Mikhail Metzel/Sputnik, via Shutterstock

The public blowup could propel President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia to escalate the fight in Ukraine instead of agreeing to peace.

President Trump says he wants a quick cease-fire in Ukraine. But President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia appears to be in no rush, and the blowup on Friday between Mr. Trump and Ukraine’s president may give Russia’s leader the kind of ammunition he needs to prolong the fight.

With the American alliance with Ukraine suffering a dramatic, public rupture, Mr. Putin now seems even more likely to hold out for a deal on his terms — and he could even be tempted to expand his push on the battlefield.

The extraordinary scene in Washington — in which Mr. Trump lambasted President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine — was broadcast as the top story on state television in Russia on Saturday morning. It played into three years of Kremlin propaganda casting Mr. Zelensky as a foolhardy ruler who would sooner or later exhaust the patience of his Western backers.

For the Kremlin, perhaps the most important message came in later remarks by Mr. Trump, who suggested that if Ukraine did not agree to a “cease-fire now,” the war-torn country would have to “fight it out” without American help.

That could set up an outcome that Mr. Putin has long sought, at the cost of tens of thousands of Russian lives: a dominant position over Ukraine and wide-ranging concessions from the West.

In fact, Mr. Trump’s professed attempts to end the war quickly could intensify and prolong it, experts warned. If the United States is really ready to abandon Ukraine, Mr. Putin could try to seize more Ukrainian territory and end up with more leverage if and when peace talks ultimately take place.

"Russia will be willing to keep fighting for longer, and more bitterly," said Konstantin Remchukov, a Moscow newspaper editor with Kremlin ties, describing the consequences of Trump's public break with Zelenskyy. "If Zelenskyy says the Ukrainian people are ready to keep on fighting, Moscow will say, 'Sure, let's keep fighting.'"

If Friday's angry encounter in Washington leads to a further drop in U.S. military support for Ukraine, Remchukov said in a phone interview, the consequences could be profound, possibly even encouraging Putin to return to the broader territorial aims he pursued when he began his invasion in 2022.

"I wouldn't be surprised if Moscow decided to go further, to Odesa or Mykolaiv," Remchukov said, referring to key Black Sea ports that remain under Ukrainian control. "It could change the strategic direction of the offensive."

Despite the alignment that has emerged between Trump and Putin in recent weeks, many analysts have spotted a key difference in their views. While the American president says he wants to "stop the death" in Ukraine as soon as possible, the Russian leader says he wants to resolve the "root causes" of the war first.

For Putin, that terminology is code for his desire for a wider deal that would prevent Ukraine from joining NATO, limit the size of its military and grant Russia influence over its domestic politics -- along with a broader pullback of the NATO alliance across Eastern and Central Europe.

Such a deal, of course, would take months to negotiate, which is why Putin has appeared resistant to the idea of a quick ceasefire. The spat in the White House on Friday appeared to play into the Kremlin's hands because it may convince Trump that Zelenskyy, rather than Putin, is the more recalcitrant of the two leaders.

"You tell us, 'I don't want a ceasefire,'" Trump told Zelenskyy in the Oval Office. "I want a ceasefire because you'll get a ceasefire faster than an agreement."

Zelenskyy on Saturday reiterated his opposition to a quick ceasefire with Putin, saying that the Russian leader could not be trusted to uphold one. Instead, he said, Ukraine needed security guarantees from the West to deter future Russian attacks.

But Zelenskyy also signaled that he had not completely given up hope on repairing the relationship with Trump. And since the Friday meeting, he has publicly expressed thanks for America's support, after Vice President JD Vance accused him of not being grateful enough.

A Moscow foreign policy analyst who is close to the Kremlin said Saturday that any delay to peace talks was likely to benefit Russia because there was no deal in sight at present that would satisfy Putin. The analyst insisted on anonymity because of the sensitivities in Moscow of speaking to Western journalists.

Dmitry Suslov, an international relations specialist at the Higher School of Economics in Moscow, said in comments published by the Kommersant newspaper that Trump would become "even more favorable to Russia's position on a settlement" after "the fiasco of Zelenskyy's negotiations with Trump."

Suslov also raised the possibility of Russia's being able to grab far more than the roughly 20% of Ukrainian territory in the country's south and east that Moscow now holds.

If the United States stops providing weapons and intelligence to the Ukrainian military, Suslov wrote, "the pace of Kyiv's defeat on the battlefield will accelerate, with the prospect of a complete collapse of the front within months."

Friday's scene was a boon for Moscow in other ways, too. It may have helped advance, in just a matter of minutes, one of Putin's longtime goals: the removal of Zelenskyy from power in Ukraine.

Immediately after the White House meeting, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., who has been one of his party's staunchest backers of Ukraine, said, "I don't know if we can ever do business with Zelenskyy again." He called the Ukrainian leader's behavior in the Oval Office "disrespectful."

The public dressing-down of Zelenskyy also accomplished another longtime goal of Putin's: cleaving the Western military alliance led by Washington that united behind Ukraine after Russia's 2022 invasion. European leaders immediately came out in support of Ukraine after the meeting, setting up a possible split with the United States, their longtime security backer.

Russian officials could hardly control their glee.

Dmitry A. Medvedev, the former Russian president who is deputy chair of the country's security council, cheered Trump on with a post on the social platform X, piling on to denounce Zelenskyy as an "insolent pig."

And Konstantin Kosachev, a senior Russian lawmaker, wrote on the Telegram social network, "Zelenskyy lost this round in a resounding crash," adding, "He will have to crawl on his knees to the next one."

Pro-Kremlin commentators who for years have been hurling invective against the United States could barely believe their change in fortune.

Igor Korotchenko, a military analyst who is a regular on Russian talk shows, wrote that he never thought he would be applauding the president of the United States.

"But tonight I applaud the 47th President of the United States Donald Trump -- Zelenskyy was thrown out of the White House like a garbage alley cat," Korotchenko wrote in a post on X.

Yet for all the schadenfreude in Russia, Friday's bitter meeting in Washington did little to illuminate a pathway toward a settlement. And while Putin may want to extend the war, he could also suffer if it goes on much longer, given the country's economic problems and steep battlefield casualties.

"The Russian leadership would like to end the war on its own terms, not just restore ties with the U.S.," Grigorii Golosov, a professor of political science at the European University in St. Petersburg, said in a phone interview. "The prospects for that are not clearer at all despite what happened yesterday."

Zelensky’s presidency is over – Scott Ritter

Former UN weapons inspector Scott Ritter. ©Global Look Press/Pavel Kashaev

Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky’s presidency is over, former US Marine Corps intelligence officer Scott Ritter has told RT. Zelensky’s five-year term in office concluded in May 2024, but he has refused to hold new elections, citing martial law. According to Ritter, Washington is “fed up” with Zelensky, who US President Donald Trump recently labeled a “dictator without elections,” and is moving to unseat him.

Ritter’s words come on the heels of a meeting in the White House between Zelensky, Trump, and US Vice President J.D. Vance on Friday, in which a heated exchange took place after Trump told the Ukrainian leader that he would have to negotiate peace with Russia. Zelensky argued that Moscow cannot be trusted and insisted that the US continue supporting Kiev. Trump said Zelensky is “in no position to dictate” to the US, accusing him of being ungrateful for America’s substantial aid and questioning his willingness to bring about an end to the conflict with Russia.

According to Ritter, the meeting was a “setup” to discredit Zelensky and “confront him with the inconsistencies of his position.”

“Zelensky is not a democratically elected president… This was a deliberate setup by the president of the US. The Trump administration is fed up with Zelensky,” he said, arguing that he brought it upon himself by openly antagonizing Trump.

This is the end of Zelensky’s presidency. He will not recover from this. Ukraine cannot afford to have him as their leader, and I think you’re going to see Zelensky being exited stage right as rapidly as possible.

According to Ritter, the relationship between Trump and Zelensky is now “fundamentally broken.” However, unlike Ukraine, he said, Russia has never “lost the discipline” in contacts with the US and disrupted peace efforts, despite “some fundamental disagreements” on how to resolve the conflict.

“Zelensky was the greatest impediment to the US and Russia to achieve a peace deal... He had to be removed, and now he has been removed,” Ritter explained. He went on to say that while Zelensky’s removal may be “the beginning of the political collapse of Ukraine,” it might not necessarily be a bad thing in terms of peace because “the war is all but over at this point.”

Zelensky has so far dismissed calls to step down. In an interview with Fox News following the meeting with Trump and responding to a call from US Senator Lindsey Graham “to resign and send somebody over that we can do business with,” Zelensky said he won’t do so unless asked by the Ukrainian people.

Zelensky should apologize for ‘fiasco’ with Trump – Rubio

US President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance meet with Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky in the Oval Office, Washington, DC, February 28, 2025.
©Getty Images/Andrew Harnik

Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky “should apologize” for turning his meeting with US President Donald Trump into a “fiasco,” US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said. In an interview with CNN on Friday, Rubio slammed Zelensky for “wasting” everyone’s time with his attitude and questioned his true intentions regarding the conflict with Russia.

Zelensky, Trump, and Vice President J.D. Vance met earlier on Friday in the White House Oval Office for what was expected to be the formal signing of a minerals agreement between Washington and Kiev. However, the meeting descended into a verbal spat after Trump told Zelensky that he would have to negotiate peace with Russia. Zelensky argued that Russian President Vladimir Putin cannot be trusted and insisted that the US should continue supporting his country, prompting Trump to accuse him of ungratefulness and an unwillingness to negotiate an end to the conflict.

“[Zelensky] should apologize for wasting our time for a meeting that was going to end the way it did… for turning this thing into the fiasco for him that it became,” Rubio said, commenting on the meeting.

“There was no need for him to go in there and become antagonistic,” he added, criticizing the Ukrainian leader for the talks “going off the rails.” Rubio also accused Zelensky of sticking to his animosity towards Putin instead of focusing on the only viable path towards peace, which he said was getting Russia to the negotiation table.

“Attacking Putin, calling him names… and maximalist demands about Russia having to pay for the reconstruction – when you start talking about that aggressively, you’re not going to get people to the table,” he stated, noting that Zelensky’s attitude could be viewed as “active open undermining” of efforts to bring about the end of the conflict.

Following the meeting, Fox News journalist Jacqui Heinrich wrote on X that the Ukrainian delegation was “begging” for a reset, but was asked to leave the White House grounds and only return when Zelensky was “ready for peace.”

In an interview on Fox News shortly after the meeting, Zelensky admitted it did not go well, but signaled he did not plan to apologize to the US leader. He claimed he thought “we have to be very open and very honest” in bilateral interaction, blamed some of the statements he made on being lost in translation, but ultimately said he was “unsure” that he did something “bad” to offend Trump.

Starmer insists on deploying British troops to Ukraine

London and Brussels must play “a full part” in providing security guarantees for Kiev, the UK prime minister has said Starmer insists on deploying British troops to Ukraine

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer pictured during a joint press conference with US President Donald Trump at the White House on February 27, 2025 in Washington, DC.
©Alex Wong/Getty Images

The UK and EU must be involved in a peace settlement in Ukraine, which includes putting boots on the ground, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said following talks with US President Donald Trump in Washington. The US has recently initiated peace talks with Russia, sidelining both the EU and UK.

Starmer met with Trump at the White House on Thursday, where they discussed a plan to reach an enduring peace in Ukraine.

”The European countries, including the United Kingdom, need to play a full part in that,” Starmer said in an interview on Fox News.

London will play “a leading part,” he insisted, whether it’s “troops on the ground… or possible air, maritime work” together with the EU. The UK and France have previously said they are prepared to deploy peacekeeping troops to Ukraine to secure any peace deal with Russia.

Trump has indicated, however, that Washington has no plans to send US forces to support a European-led peacekeeping mission, arguing that Russian President Vladimir Putin can be trusted to not breach the eventual agreement.

Moscow has opposed the deployment of unauthorized troops to Ukraine, warning that without a UN mandate, they would be considered legitimate targets.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said the idea of deploying foreign troops to Ukraine is being pushed primarily by France and Britain, suggesting that this is meant to “further fuel the conflict and stop any attempts to cool it down.” The Foreign Ministry also accused the EU and UK of embarking “on a path of militarism.”

Britain has been a steadfast supporter of Ukraine since the conflict escalated three years ago, providing substantial military aid and implementing stringent sanctions against Russia. As of February, London has committed nearly $10 billion in military assistance to Kiev.

BRICS must end dollar’s dominance – Lula

Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. ©Getty Images/Anadolu via Getty Images

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has said that the BRICS nations will not stop their de-dollarization efforts despite US President Donald Trump’s tariff threats and will continue to seek options to move trade from the greenback.

Trump has issued numerous threats to BRICS since being elected last November. He has acknowledged that the bloc’s push to minimize dependence on the dollar in bilateral trade and promote national currencies undermines the dominance of the greenback, a tendency he seeks to resist.

Speaking at a meeting of the group’s sherpas on Thursday, Lula said that Brazil’s BRICS chairmanship this year will strengthen the bloc’s push for a multipolar world. The group – which recently expanded and now comprises Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Ethiopia, Iran, and Egypt – has been boosting the use of national currencies in mutual trade.

“US President Donald Trump’s threats of tariffs won’t stop the group’s determination to seek alternative platforms for payments between member countries,” Lula said.

Trump has repeatedly threatened to cut trade with members of the group if they try “to destroy” the dollar.

Earlier this month, he once again pledged to impose massive tariffs on all imports from BRICS countries if they proceed with plans to establish a common currency. The current BRICS members account for about 46% of the world’s population and over 36% of global GDP, according to various estimates.

Trump warned last week that “any BRICS state that even mentions the destruction of the dollar will be charged a 150% tariff.”

Speculation about a potential BRICS single currency has circulated in recent years. In 2023, Lula voiced support for the idea of a trading currency within the economic grouping, drawing parallels to the euro.

Although BRICS members have denied plans to establish a single currency, they have ramped up efforts to reduce reliance on Western currencies in bilateral trade in recent years.

The trend gained significant momentum after Russia was cut off from the Western financial system and had its foreign reserves frozen in 2022, as part of Ukraine-related sanctions.

BRICS states, including Russia, have claimed the US is weakening the dollar itself by politicizing it with sanctions.

WATCH humanoid robot perform kung fu

©YouTube/Unitree Robotics

Chinese robotics company Unitree has shared a video featuring its humanoid robot doing kung fu moves. The bot’s balance capabilities and range of movement have been upgraded, the firm said.

Humanoid robots are made to resemble and act like humans, imitating facial expressions, movements, and speech.

The video teaser published by the Hangzhou-based company earlier this week shows the human-like robot walking down the street while performing various martial arts strikes and kicking techniques. Unitree stated that the latest algorithm upgrade allows its G1 humanoid robot to “learn and perform virtually any movement.”

Kungfu BOT: Unitree G1🥳
We have continued to upgrade the Unitree G1's algorithm, enabling it to learn and perform virtually any movement. What other moves would you like to see. Do share with us in the comments. (Please keep a safe distance from the robot.)#Unitree #Kungfu… pic.twitter.com/1vDZHyRjqZ

— Unitree (@UnitreeRobotics) February 25, 2025

As per the company’s website, the $16,000 G1 humanoid robot, which debuted in August 2023, features powered joints on its arms, legs, and torso that allow 23 degrees of freedom.

Earlier this month, Unitree unveiled video footage of its humanoid G1 and H1 androids showing off new moves. G1, a more affordable version of the robot, was shown running, navigating uneven terrain, and walking in a more natural way. The taller H1 model performed a preset routine alongside human dancers at the Spring Festival Gala event marking the Chinese New Year.

A number of companies – including Japan’s Honda, Hyundai Motor’s Boston Dynamics, and Agility Robotics – have been betting on humanoid robots to meet potential labor shortages in certain industries by performing repetitive tasks that may be seen as dangerous or tedious. Tesla, Meta, and OpenAI have recently joined the trend.

Earlier this month, Bloomberg cited sources as stating that Meta Platforms is planning to invest into futuristic robots that can act like humans and assist with physical tasks. The company is reportedly forming a new team within its Reality Labs hardware division to conduct the work.

Last December, media reports emerged that OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, is seeking to develop its own android. Last year, electric-vehicle producer Tesla announced plans to introduce humanoid robots for internal purposes starting in 2025, with plans for broader production by the following year.

Valued at $1.8 billion in 2023, the global humanoid robot market is projected to soar to more than $13 billion over the next five years, according to research firm MarketsandMarkets.