Russian President, Vladimir Putin has condemned the fighting in Gaza while proposing that Moscow can be a helpful mediator in ending the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
This came as the Russian President took questions from international journalists and media managers on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in Moscow.
This goes to show that Russia is trying to boost its “potential peacemaker” status in the Middle East.
However, considering Russia’s own aggressive actions in Ukraine, can Putin truly be seen as a credible advocate for peace?
After all, this is the country that launched a full-scale invasion of its neighbour. Despite Russia’s actions in Ukraine it has joined international calls for ceasefire in Gaza.
Putin has also been critical of Israel over the war.
In December, 2023, Russian President Vladimir Putin sought to distinguish between the war in Ukraine and Israel’s war on Hamas, saying the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza has had a much greater toll on civilians that cannot be compared to the war in Ukraine.
Speaking to the representatives of foreign news outlets, Putin said What is happening now in Gaza in response to the terrorist attack on Israel, does not resemble a war.
“It is a kind of total destruction of the civilian population,” Putin said.
“We are against terrorism in all its manifestations, against attacks against civilians — at any place and in any country,” Putin added.
In other remarks to the journalists, Putin said that Moscow sees the situation as the result of a “total failure” by the United States, but that there is hope for Palestinian statehood.
He suggested that Russia is trying to contribute to finding peace, as can the US, but the key role should be countries in the region, including Turkey.
Blaming Washington’s policies for failing to resolve the decades of Israeli-Palestinian conflict, he said “They monopolized the peace process. They pushed aside all previously established mechanisms for collective efforts to solve this extremely difficult problem.”
“However, in practice, this was not the case. It is not possible to solve the problem with some material offerings,” he asserted.
“The real issue, political matters, need to be resolved. This involves creating two states, as foreseen in the UN’s decision to establish two states in this territory — a Palestinian state and a Jewish state.
“For our part, taking into account our longstanding relations with Israel, we are ready to do everything Russia can to resolve this situation. We have long recognized the Palestinian state since the Soviet Union era. Our approach in this regard has not changed.”
Vladimir Putin
Putin’s stance aligns with international calls for the protection of civilians in conflict zones, resonating with many who seek an end to the suffering in Gaza.
Yet, Putin’s role as a mediator in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict feels incongruous given Russia’s recent history.
The annexation of Crimea and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine have stained Russia’s reputation as a champion of peace and sovereignty.
How can a nation that has violated the territorial integrity of its neighbor claim to be a credible mediator in another region’s conflict?
Can it genuinely broker peace in a region as volatile as the Middle East?
Critics argue that Putin’s condemnation of Israeli actions in Gaza is not entirely altruistic. By positioning itself as a mediator, Russia aims to bolster its influence in the Middle East, countering Western dominance in the region.
Ultimately, Putin’s offer to mediate in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict raises more questions than answers. While Russia’s involvement may bring additional diplomatic avenues to explore, it also risks complicating an already intricate situation.
Erdogan, A Key Player In Peace Efforts
Putin said he sees Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan as a key player in peace efforts.
“We know that President Erdogan has made vigorous efforts to solve this very urgent and longstanding issue,” he said.
“Considering President Erdogan’s authority in the region, the world, and the Islamic world, we expect his contribution to be noticeable,” he added.
Erdogan has been vocal against Israel since the beginning of the war, comparing the Jewish State to the Nazis and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Nazi leader Adolf Hitler.
Last month, Erdogan said that Netanyahu’s “genocidal methods” in Gaza would have made Hitler “jealous.”
He has also met with Hamas leader, Ismail Haniyeh in Istanbul, after which he encouraged Palestinians to unite against Israel.
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