Russian Foreign Minister Comments on Gaza Peace Efforts
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov held a press conference with Arab media on Monday, during which he downplayed the significance of President Donald Trump’s recent mediation efforts aimed at resolving the Gaza conflict.
Lavrov expressed concerns about the 20-point peace plan released by the White House in late September, noting it was too “general” regarding the creation of a Palestinian state. This plan requires significant reforms before the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank can be deemed capable of governing Gaza.
While he stated that Russian leaders “fully support” initiatives to end hostilities between Israel and Hamas, he also advised that “skepticism still remains” about the outcomes.
Historically, Russia has maintained a close relationship with Iran, a major supporter of terrorism and a key backer of Hamas. The U.S. State Department estimates that Iran allocates nearly $1 billion annually to international jihadist activities, with about $100 million directed toward Hamas and other groups operating in Gaza. Until the recent signing of the Trump peace deal, Hamas had served as the governing authority in Gaza since 2007.
As an ally of Iran, Russia has leveraged its international standing to support Hamas. Its UN representative often sought to veto resolutions against Hamas and initially failed to halt Israel’s military actions in Gaza. Subsequently, Russia attempted to denounce both Israel and the U.S. for their actions. Furthermore, Moscow hosted Hamas representatives to discuss the situation in Gaza.
Recently, on October 27, 2023, the Russian government welcomed Hamas members in Moscow to negotiate the immediate release of foreign hostages held in Gaza. The Israeli government criticized this meeting as “obscene.”
During his remarks, Lavrov emphasized that a resolution concerning the Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank under the Palestinian Authority’s leadership is “essential.” He lamented that Trump’s peace plan seems exclusively focused on Gaza while providing vague references to statehood.
Lavrov mentioned that Russia is willing to play a larger role in resolving the Gaza conflict, asserting that “Russia is ready to participate in any form.” He also touched on the situation concerning hostages and expressed that there remains skepticism regarding the prospects for lasting peace, emphasizing that hopes in this region are frequently dashed.
It is hoped that this initiative will be successful, Lavrov stated, provided that Trump’s plan is implemented fully, otherwise, the rules could change mid-process. He underlined that, following proper execution, immediate attention should turn to establishing a Palestinian state and finding practical compromises rooted in the decisions made by the United Nations Security Council.
Lavrov’s comments coincided with a significant day in the Middle East, as Hamas released the last 20 remaining hostages taken during the initial attacks on October 7, 2023. However, the promise to release 28 other hostages still unaccounted for has not been met.
On the same day, President Trump visited Israel to greet the released hostages and address the Knesset. He remarked that this marks an exciting period for Israel and the region, claiming that forces of chaos and destruction have been significantly weakened.
“This is not only the end of war, but also the end of an era of fear and death, and the beginning of an era of faith and hope,” Trump declared.
He later traveled to Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, for a summit aimed at formalizing the peace agreement regarding Gaza. This meeting included at least 20 government leaders, excluding Russia. The Iranian government was invited but declined due to objections against U.S. actions at the summit. This meeting marks the acceptance phase of the Gaza Peace Agreement, which will necessitate substantial support from regional neighbors to rebuild Gaza and eliminate remaining traces of Hamas terrorism while ensuring stability in the area.
