Russian President Vladimir Putin reached out to senior Hamas and Iranian leaders on Thursday, inviting them to Moscow in an attempt to play a mediating role in the Middle Eastern conflict. However, this move has not come without controversy, as Israel condemned it as an “obscene step” that effectively supports terrorism.
Russian officials engaged in discussions with Hamas, earning praise from the terrorist group for their active involvement in the ongoing conflict.
Ali Bagheri Kani, Iran’s deputy foreign minister and a key sponsor of Hamas, also participated in these talks, further fuelling concerns in the West about a potential “axis of terror” forming, with Iran mediating ties between Russia and Hamas.
Hamas, in a surprising turn of events, publicly commended President Putin for his stance on the conflict and acknowledged Russia’s active role in diplomacy efforts aimed at addressing Israeli actions in the Gaza Strip. A photograph released by Hamas showcased key members of the organisation meeting with Mikhail Bogdanov, Putin’s special envoy in the Middle East.
This series of meetings has led some Western observers to question whether Putin is shifting away from his long-standing alliance with Israel in favour of forging closer relationships with Iran and its Islamist allies. The groups have recently been linked to terror attacks in Israel and an intensified campaign against American troops across the broader Middle East.
In response to the developments, Lioir Hiat, a spokesperson for the Israeli foreign ministry, expressed strong disapproval of the invitation extended to senior Hamas officials, characterising it as a move that not only supports terrorism but also legitimises the actions of Hamas terrorists.
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