(Image source from: Timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
Moscow has rejected a news story that suggested the Kremlin offered to stop sharing intelligence with Iran in exchange for the US halting its intelligence support to Ukraine about Russia. A report from the US media outlet Politico stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin's representative Kirill Dmitriev had discussed this proposal during a meeting with Trump administration representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Miami last week. The US, which has been providing intelligence to Ukraine since Russia invaded in February 2022, turned down the proposal, according to Politico, which quoted two sources familiar with the US-Russia talks. However, Dmitriev called the report "false" in a message posted on X on Friday. Republican lawmaker Anna Paulina Luna criticized Politico, claiming it serves as a "mouthpiece for the pro-war machine in Ukraine. " She said, "They lack access to the White House or any info about internal conversations or peace talks with Russia. Ignore their efforts to heighten tensions between Russia and the United States," she posted on X.
Earlier this month, The Washington Post, an American newspaper, reported that Russia had shared important intelligence with Iran during its conflict with the US and Israel. The information included the positions of US warships and planes in the Middle East. Nevertheless, the Kremlin denied this claim. Since the war began on February 28, Russia has provided humanitarian aid but has not publicly commented on any assistance given to Iran. Iran has become a key ally for Russia throughout the Ukraine conflict. At the beginning of the war, the Islamic Republic reportedly sent drones to Moscow to attack Ukrainian cities. Last week, the White House stated that President Donald Trump would not be "pleased" if Russia was sharing information with Iran during the conflict in the Middle East.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt mentioned in a briefing, "The president and his special envoy (Steve) Witkoff have both expressed that they have communicated to Russia that they would not approve of such activities if happening, and they hope it is not occurring. " Trump also remarked that it was irrelevant whether Russia had given Iran information to assist in targeting US military personnel and assets. He told reporters on March 8, "Looking at what’s happened to Iran in the last week, if they are receiving information, it’s not very helpful to them. " Witkoff, who has been involved in US discussions with both Russia and Iran recently, stated that Moscow should be believed when it denies sharing intelligence with Tehran. "I’m not an intelligence officer, so I can’t provide an answer," Witkoff replied to CNBC when asked about Russia’s intelligence-sharing activities.
