Part 2/13:
Over the weekend, Russian President Vladimir Putin engaged in a nearly hour-long call with President Trump, during which the Kremlin expressed alarm and urged de-escalation. Moscow's reaction to Israel’s military actions—condemning the campaign and warning of potential escalation—appears calculated, given Russia’s close ties with Iran and mutual support milestones in recent years. Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Iran has become an increasingly vital partner, primarily supplying hundreds of Shahad drones that Russia has incorporated into its Ukrainian offensive.