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Trump's Iran attack rattles Russian hardliners who call for Putin to double down on war in Ukraine
Russian hardliners argue U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran reveal Washington's unreliability, urging Putin to halt peace talks and intensify Ukraine conflict efforts.
On March 3, 2026, Russian hawks publicly demanded Moscow abandon U.S.-brokered Ukraine talks and 'double down' after U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran.
Once-Cautiously optimistic hardliners now say President Donald Trump is systematically removing Russia's allies, including Syria's Bashar al-Assad, Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro, and Iran's Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The Kremlin condemned the U.S.-Israeli strikes as unprovoked aggression while saying it still believes in continuing peace talks on Ukraine and offers only diplomatic support to Iran.
The hawks' rhetoric signals unease in Russia's security and political establishment, while Kirill Dmitriev, Putin's special envoy, highlights rising oil prices could ease the budget and Ukraine may get fewer U.S. arms if missiles divert to Gulf states.
Some observers see a potential silver lining for Russia amid Iran events, but analysts note Russia remains bogged down in Ukraine and warn if Iran holds out, talks' fate is uncertain.
Putin doesn't want to blackmail Trump. Despite the Iran war, he holds on to the wire to Washington. Ukraine is more important to him. Criticism he delegated down.