MOSCOW: Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov has urged the release of hostages in Gaza during recent telephone conversations with Hamas and other Palestinian groups, according to a statement from the Russian foreign ministry.
The discussions, which took place on Sunday and Monday, emphasized both the military and humanitarian situations in Gaza. Russia reiterated its principled stance on the necessity to halt hostilities promptly and address humanitarian challenges, including the release of hostages.
Russia Reiterates Support for Establishment of Palestinian State
Bogdanov engaged with key figures from the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO), the Palestinian Democratic Union, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, and Hamas. He underscored the importance of restoring Palestinian unity within the framework of the PLO and reiterated Moscow’s support for the establishment of a Palestinian state.
On Sunday, Russia called for an international monitoring mission to assess the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Russia deems Israel’s use of collective punishment through indiscriminate shelling as unacceptable.
