Russia Reaffirms Readiness to Help Reach Settlement in Gaza

Russian Foreign Ministry stated that President Vladimir Putin's envoy to the Middle East and Africa, and Deputy Foreign Minister, Mikhail Bogdanov, reaffirmed Moscow's readiness to continue efforts for a swift resolution of the Gaza situation after meeting with the Palestinian Ambassador to Moscow, Abdel Hafiz Nofal, on Friday.

According to the Russian news agency TASS, "the meeting focused particularly on the situation in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict zone amidst ongoing intense hostilities and the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza. The Russian side emphasized its readiness to continue political and diplomatic efforts to stop the bloodshed."

The Russian Foreign Ministry noted that both sides stressed the importance of providing urgent aid to Gaza's residents, and reiterated Russia’s support for a "just settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict based on international law, envisioning the establishment of an independent Palestinian state within the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, living in peace and security alongside Israel."

The ministry added that "the diplomats also discussed current issues of bilateral cooperation and expressed mutual commitment to further strengthening the traditionally friendly Russian-Palestinian relations and continuing active communications, including political contacts."