'Israel-Hamas war could spill over far beyond Middle East,' warns Russia's Putin
'Israel-Hamas war could spill over far beyond Middle East,' warns Russia's Putin
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The Israel-Hamas war “could spill over far beyond the borders of the Middle East,” warned Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The comments were made by Putin in a Kremlin meeting with Russian religious leaders of different faiths.
The Russian president said bloodshed in the region had to stop. He also claimed that the people in Gaza were being punished for other people’s crimes.
Putin also said during phone calls with other world leaders, he has said if the Israel-Hamas conflict did not stop, there was a risk of a much wider conflagration.
As per Kremlin transcript of Putin of the meeting, Putin said: “Our task today, our main task, is to stop the bloodshed and violence.”
“Otherwise, further escalation of the crisis is fraught with grave and extremely dangerous and destructive consequences. And not only for the Middle East region. It could spill over far beyond the borders of the Middle East,” the Russian president said.
Putin’s subtle attack on US
During the meeting, Putin also criticised the West, without naming it directly and said, “Certain unnamed forces were seeking to provoke further escalation and to draw as many other countries and peoples into the conflict as possible.”
The aim, he said, was to “launch a real wave of chaos and mutual hatred not only in the Middle East but also far beyond its borders. For this purpose, among other things, they are trying to play on the national and religious feelings of millions of people.”
Putin conveyed his condolences to the families of Israelis and citizens of other countries who were killed or wounded by Hamas in its bloody October 7 attack.
Moscow, he said, continued to advocate for a two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli issue, something he said was the only way to reach a long-term settlement.
He made it clear though that he thought Israel was wrong to keep bombing Gaza in retaliation for the slaughter and hostage-taking of Israeli citizens by Hamas.
“It is also clear to us that innocent people should not be held responsible for crimes committed by others,” said Putin.
“The fight against terrorism cannot be conducted according to the notorious principle of collective responsibility when old people, women, children, entire families and hundreds of thousands of people are left without shelter, food, water, electricity and medical care.”
With inputs from Reuters
