Russian President Vladimir Putin said that there was no solution to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East without taking into consideration “the fundamental interests of the Palestinian people.” His comments were on the occasion of today’s Kremlin meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed al-Sudani (see separate slug):
“I think that many will agree with me that this is a clear example of the United States’ failed policy in the Middle East, which tried to monopolize the settlement process, but, unfortunately, was not concerned with finding compromises acceptable to both sides, but, on the contrary, put forward its own ideas about how this should be done and put pressure on both sides, truly both: first on one, then on the other. But each time without considering the fundamental interests of the Palestinian people, bearing in mind, first of all, the need to implement the decision of the UN Security Council on the creation of an independent, sovereign Palestinian state.”
The Iraqi Prime Minister replied: “We are now witnessing another Intifada: an uprising of Palestinians demanding to put an end to such violations of their rights.
“An obvious escalation, and a very dangerous one, with civilians killed as a result and spontaneous bombings carried out, including against civilian targets: all this may result in the destruction of the Gaza Strip. Now we all, as Arab and Islamic countries, and also together with Russia, a permanent member of the [UN] Security Council, a great power, have a responsibility here. This is a moral responsibility, including on major powers, to stop these violations of the rights of Palestinians and to end the blockade of the Gaza Strip.”
