The statement did not make clear whether Russia sought the release of all hostages seized by Hamas or just the release of any Russian nationals among them.
By REUTERSDECEMBER 11, 2023 13:29Updated: DECEMBER 11, 2023 15:06
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov demanded the release of hostages held in Gaza in telephone calls on Sunday and Monday with Hamas and other Palestinian factions, the Russian foreign ministry said.
The statement followed a series of meetings and calls between President Vladimir Putin and Middle East leaders in the past week.
The ministry said Bogdanov’s conversations highlighted the military and humanitarian situation in Gaza, where Russia «confirmed its principled position on the need to cease hostilities and urgently resolve all humanitarian problems that have arisen, including the release of hostages.»
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov demanded the release of hostages held in Gaza in telephone calls on Sunday and Monday with Hamas and other Palestinian factions, the Russian foreign ministry said.
The statement followed a series of meetings and calls between President Vladimir Putin and Middle East leaders in the past week.
The ministry said Bogdanov’s conversations highlighted the military and humanitarian situation in Gaza, where Russia «confirmed its principled position on the need to cease hostilities and urgently resolve all humanitarian problems that have arisen, including the release of hostages.»
Condemning Israel’s response
Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Moscow strongly condemned the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel, but it was unacceptable for Israel to use that as justification for «the collective punishment of millions of Palestinian people with indiscriminate shelling.»
Analysts say the Gaza war has proved helpful to Russia by distracting the world’s attention from its war in Ukraine and making it harder for Kyiv to compete for Washington’s attention and military aid.
Putin has also used it as an opportunity to criticize the failings of US diplomacy in the Middle East and raise Russia’s own profile as a regional player with ties to all the main actors.
Putin has stepped up his own contacts in the past week, though the aim of his latest diplomatic flurry is not yet clear.
He spoke to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Saturday and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyuhu on Sunday, having last week met the leaders of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Iran.
Fuente: https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-777521?utm_source=jpost.app.apple&utm_medium=share
