RUSSIAN President Vladimir Putin has voiced hope that the recent deadly flare-up between Israel and Iran can now be considered “a thing of the past”, signalling Moscow’s interest in resuming regional cooperation and trade, particularly with Tehran.
“God willing, the situation in the Middle East is now stabilising, and the conflict between Israel and Iran, thankfully, may be regarded as something that has passed into history,” Putin said Thursday during the plenary session of the Eurasian Economic Forum in Minsk, Belarus.
He noted that Iran had recently signed a preferential trade agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), underscoring Russia’s intent to deepen economic ties with regional powers.
“This means we can now develop relations with all countries in the region, including Iran—as I’ve mentioned, we’ve concluded agreements with them,” he added, according to Bernama-Anadolu.
Putin’s remarks followed the cessation of nearly two weeks of hostilities that saw an unprecedented exchange of fire between Israel and Iran—what many feared could have escalated into a regional war. The United States joined the fray on 22 June with precision strikes, reportedly dropping six bunker buster bombs on Iran’s underground nuclear site at Fordow and launching missiles from submarines at Natanz and Isfahan.
The campaign was triggered by 12 consecutive days of Israeli air strikes starting 13 June, targeting military, nuclear, and civilian sites across Iran. It marked the most sustained direct military confrontation between the two countries to date.
Tensions eased on Tuesday when US President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire, effectively halting further escalation. The announcement was met with cautious relief by many governments worldwide, including members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
In a joint statement cited by Bernama-Xinhua, ASEAN welcomed the ceasefire and urged all parties to show restraint and prioritise the safety of civilians in accordance with international law.
“We urge all parties to respect the ceasefire and avoid further escalation of this conflict,” the statement read. “We support ongoing efforts, including those led by the UN, aimed at de-escalating tensions and facilitating the resumption of constructive engagement among parties involved.”
For Putin, the current lull presents a renewed opportunity for diplomacy and regional integration—something he framed as part of a broader post-conflict vision centred on multilateral trade and dialogue. Whether this fragile ceasefire holds, however, remains to be seen. - June 27, 2025
