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[–]chakokat 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

I’m not sure I agree with Helmer in this case. The examples he uses that Putin has ordered the Russian Navy to remain in berth in Syria, for the Russian sub that was scheduled to traverse the Suez canal to cancel it’s intended sail, for the Northern fleet to stay out of the Mediterranean and for the Pacific fleet to stay clear of the conflict zone isn’t about sitting on the fence but more so staying out of Yemen’s way as they slug it out with the US and UK. Russia does not want to be near the war zone to then have the US/Israel/West frame Russia for a false flag that they themselves executed. It’s not hard to imagine that the US would love to light the fuse with Iran and to blame it on Russia. Russia explicitly follows international laws and will not be drawn into illegal actions and then blamed for WW3 in the ME.

[–]CaelianPost No Toasties 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

Russia is keeping a low profile, but I don't know about neutrality. Someone is providing targeting data to Iran, and would Iran be launching missiles and declaring that they had done so if they didn't have strong backup? Of course it could be the Chinese.

[–]RandomCollection[S] 3 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 0 fun4 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

https://archive.ph/apZ77

In the long run, playing neutrality does leave Russia the option of negotiating a cease fire with Israel, but it also abandons the "moral high ground".

Public opinion in Russia is overwhelmingly pro-Palestinian and Israel doesn't seem to be truly open to a cease fire.