Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed deep concern over the “catastrophic increase” in civilian casualties in the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict. The Russian leader has criticized the United States’ Middle East policy for ignoring the aspirations of the Palestinian people, attributing the escalation of violence to this policy failure.
Putin Blames Failed US Middle East Policy for Escalation
During a phone call with Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Kremlin stated that Putin highlighted the alarming rise in civilian casualties in Israel and the Gaza Strip. The conversation primarily focused on the deteriorating situation in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict zone, with both leaders expressing their profound concern regarding the continuous escalation of violence.
Putin made a striking statement, calling the recent surge of violence a consequence of the United States’ flawed policy in the Middle East. He insisted that this was a glaring example of the failure of the United States in the region. Putin accused the U.S. of monopolizing efforts to broker peace between Israel and the Palestinians, alleging that they had not pursued compromises acceptable to both sides but instead pushed their own solutions while ignoring the Palestinian interests, including the need for an independent state.
Calls for Immediate Ceasefire and Resumption of Negotiations
Putin and Erdogan reiterated the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire and the resumption of negotiations between the conflicting parties. Erdogan expressed his regret at the targeting of civilian installations, emphasizing that Turkey strongly disapproved of such actions. Earlier on Tuesday, Putin underscored the necessity of establishing a Palestinian state, aligning himself with the long-standing international objective.
The Russian leader’s critique of the U.S. Middle East policy and his calls for peace come at a crucial moment in the Israel-Gaza conflict, as the world watches in horror at the escalating violence and loss of civilian lives.
Russia Seeks Role in Mediating the Conflict
Despite Putin’s strong words, he did not mention Russia’s own role in the Middle East peace process. Alongside the United States, the United Nations, and the European Union, Russia has been part of the “Quartet” since 2002, a group of powers tasked with mediating Israeli-Palestinian peace talks. Putin’s spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, confirmed that the Kremlin remains in contact with both warring sides in Israel and Gaza and intends to play a role in resolving the conflict, although he did not specify how this would be achieved.
Peskov emphasized that Russia seeks to provide assistance and contribute to finding a peaceful resolution to the crisis. The Kremlin’s stance appears to be impartial, as it maintains relations with both Israelis and Palestinians. Russia has historical ties with the Palestinians, including Hamas, while also sharing commonalities with Israel, given the significant number of former Russian citizens in the country.
Moreover, Peskov cautioned that the ongoing violence could have dangerous repercussions, potentially spilling over from the current conflict zone in the Arab-Israeli region. He highlighted the importance of stabilizing the situation and creating conditions for direct Palestinian-Israeli dialogue.
The Russian Foreign Ministry has affirmed its readiness to assist in reaching a settlement between Israel and the Palestinians by coordinating efforts with regional players. Maria Zakharova, the ministry’s spokesperson, expressed their commitment to maintaining close contact with key regional stakeholders, whose involvement is deemed essential in stabilizing the situation and facilitating direct negotiations between the Palestinian and Israeli sides.
