Russian President Putin Blames US Middle East Policy for Escalating Violence
Russian President Vladimir Putin has criticized the United States’ policies in the Middle East, blaming them for the recent surge of violence between Israel and the Palestinians. Putin’s spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, stated that the Kremlin is in contact with both sides and intends to play a role in resolving the conflict, although no specific details were provided.
During talks with visiting Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, Putin expressed his belief that the escalation of violence is a clear example of the failure of US policy in the region. He accused the US of monopolizing peace efforts and failing to seek workable compromises. Moreover, Putin criticized the US for neglecting the interests of the Palestinians, including their desire for an independent state.
Despite not mentioning Russia’s own role in the Middle East peace process, it is part of the Quartet, along with the US, United Nations, and the European Union, responsible for mediating since 2002. Meanwhile, Israel has vowed to escalate its response to the attacks carried out by Hamas militants backed by Iran, and US President Joe Biden has affirmed his support for Israel while issuing a warning to anyone seeking to exploit the situation.
Amidst the escalating crisis, Russia continues its diplomatic efforts. Both Putin and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan lamented the significant increase in civilian casualties. Additionally, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov called for an immediate ceasefire in a conversation with his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian. Peskov emphasized that Moscow is participating in all diplomatic efforts and remains committed to assisting in the search for a resolution, despite limited progress.
Russia aims to maintain a balanced approach throughout the crisis, highlighting its relations with both sides. While Russia reportedly uses Iranian-made drones in its conflict with Ukraine and has longstanding ties with the Palestinians, including Hamas, it also shares commonalities with Israel, such as a significant number of Israelis being former Russian citizens. Peskov expressed concern that the turmoil has the potential to spread beyond the Arab-Israeli conflict’s current zone, warning of its potential danger.
In conclusion, Russian President Putin has blamed the failure of US Middle East policies for the recent escalation of violence between Israel and the Palestinians. Russia seeks to participate in resolving the conflict and has called for a ceasefire, expressing concerns about the situation’s potential to expand.
