Russian President Vladimir Putin has privately expressed support for a nuclear agreement that would bar Iran from uranium enrichment, according to Axios sources. The report reveals Putin communicated this position to both former U.S. President Donald Trump and Iranian officials.
Multiple sources, including three European diplomats and one Israeli official, confirmed Moscow has pressed Tehran to accept a "zero enrichment" policy. Russian representatives have reportedly shared this stance with the governments of Israel, the U.S., and France. As part of a potential deal, Russia has also offered to extract highly enriched uranium from Iranian territory.
A European official told Axios, "Putin backs zero enrichment and encouraged Iran to pursue this path to improve negotiations with Washington. But the Iranians rejected the proposal outright."
While Russia has long served as Tehran's key diplomatic partner on nuclear matters, Axios notes a shift in Putin's private stance following the 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran. Despite publicly defending Iran's enrichment rights, the Russian leader has reportedly adopted a firmer position behind closed doors.