Russian President Vladimir Putin criticized the United States for its failed policy in the Middle East, attributing the recent violence between Israel and the Palestinians as a consequence of neglecting the needs of the Palestinians. Putin’s spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, stated that Russia is actively engaged with both sides and aims to play a role in resolving the conflict. However, Peskov did not specify the specific actions that Russia plans to take. He also warned that if the conflict continues, it could potentially escalate and affect other regions.
During discussions with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, Vladimir Putin openly blamed the escalation of violence on the United States’ policies in the region. He believes that the US has attempted to monopolize peace efforts and has failed to consider workable compromises. Putin further criticized the United States for ignoring the interests of the Palestinians, particularly their desire for an independent Palestinian state.
It is worth noting that Putin did not mention Russia’s own involvement in the Middle East peace process. Russia has been part of the Quartet, along with the United States, the United Nations, and the European Union, since 2002, with the responsibility of aiding in mediation.
In response to the escalating civilian casualties, both Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan expressed their concern about the catastrophic rise in deaths among civilians. Additionally, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov called for an immediate ceasefire during a conversation with his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.
Russia has emphasized its impartiality in the conflict, highlighting its relationships with both Israelis and Palestinians. Despite their ongoing war in Ukraine, Russia allegedly uses drones manufactured in Iran. Furthermore, Russia has established long-standing ties with the Palestinians, including Hamas, who visited Moscow in March. Putin’s spokesperson, Peskov, also mentioned that Russia shares commonalities with Israel, such as a significant number of Israelis having Russian citizenship.
The Kremlin has reiterated its commitment to diplomatic efforts and intends to continue playing a role in seeking a settlement. Although progress has been limited thus far, Russia remains committed to making further efforts towards a resolution.