Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov has called for the immediate resumption of direct dialogue between the parties to the Israel-Hamas war to tackle the crisis in the Gaza Strip.
At a news conference in Moscow after a meeting with Jordanian Foreign Minister, Ayman Safadi, Lavrov stressed that what needs to be done by Jordan, Russia, and other nations sincerely interested in achieving lasting peace is to push for an urgent return to direct talks.
This came as Hamas communicated its approval via intermediaries concerning a proposed ceasefire plan for the Palestinian territory.
He disclosed that he and his Jordanian counterpart gave particular attention to the situation in the Middle East, “especially the crisis that has developed and continues to escalate in the Palestinian territories, in the Gaza Strip, and recently in the West Bank.”
He noted that Russia and Jordan are seriously concerned about what is happening there, adding, “There is a genuine humanitarian disaster.”
“We see the resolution of humanitarian issues and the prevention of a humanitarian catastrophe as the highest priorities. The next steps should, of course, involve measures to de-escalate the situation.
“We advocate the earliest possible resumption of negotiations between the Palestinians and Israelis to resolve current problems, declare a ceasefire, and secure the release of hostages as well as Palestinians held in Israeli prisons.”
Sergey Lavrov
Also, Lavrov highlighted that establishing a Palestinian state remains essential for these discussions, warning that if a Palestinian state is not created, the risk of further unrest in the region will persist.
Lavrov added that the next stage should involve dialogue on the final status of the Palestinian territories, in line with UN decisions unanimously adopted but “sabotaged for decades, primarily by Western countries.”
He stressed that Russia rejects the idea of “collective punishment of all Palestinians” as a response to the October 7, 2023 terrorist attack against Israel.
The Russian Foreign Minister noted that, as a result, it has become extremely difficult to deliver humanitarian aid to parts of Gaza where residents are in desperate need.
“In this regard, we are, of course, interested in reviving the activities of UN humanitarian mechanisms in the region, and we discussed this in detail today.
“We need to remove any obstacles to the full functioning of these structures in order to meet at least the minimum needs of all Gaza and West Bank residents who are in severe straits now.”
Sergey Lavrov
He said that Russia regularly helps the Palestinians, stating, “We sent the latest shipment of 30,000 tons of wheat this June.”
Additionally, Lavrov made reference to statements made by several European leaders about their intention to recognize the State of Palestine at the UN General Assembly scheduled for next month.
“When they made these statements, it [the General Assembly] was two months away. I have a question: if your diplomacy and your foreign policy have come to the conclusion that what is happening can no longer be tolerated and it is necessary to recognize the Palestinian state, why wait two months, why not do it right away.
“I have a suspicion that all these beautiful statements that we will recognize the Palestinian state soon, in a couple of months, are being made largely based on the diplomatic hope that when we have to fulfill this obligation to recognize Palestine, there will be nothing left to recognize.”
Sergey Lavrov
Israel “Killing All Prospects” For Regional Peace
Meanwhile, Jordan’s Foreign Minister, Ayman Safadi stressed that Israel’s assault on Gaza had caused “massacres and starvation” and that its wider actions were “killing all prospects” for peace in the Middle East.
Addressing Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov at a meeting in Moscow, Safadi said that he hoped to discuss “efforts to end the aggression on Gaza, and the massacres and starvation that it is creating.”
He said that this was in addition to the “illegal measures that continue to undermine the two-state solution and kill all prospects for peace in the region.”
“We value your clear position against the war and your demand for reaching a permanent ceasefire,” he told Lavrov.
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