Russia defends hosting Hamas official for talks

AP , Friday 27 Oct 2023

The Kremlin dismissed criticism of a visit to Moscow by a senior Hamas figure, saying that Russia considers it necessary to maintain contacts with all warring parties.


Kremlin

 

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia considers "it necessary to continue contacts with all the parties and we will certainly continue our dialogue with Israel."

The Russian Foreign Ministry said it discussed the release of captives in the Gaza Strip and the evacuation of Russian nationals and other foreign citizens during Thursday's talks with Hamas.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry criticised Moscow for hosting Abu Marzouk, a member of Hamas’ political bureau, and urged Russia to expel him.

According to the Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, Iranian deputy foreign minister Ali Bagheri Kani was in Moscow Thursday for talks.

Kani told Abu Marzouk that Tehran's "priority" in negotiations "is an immediate cease-fire, providing assistance to the people and lifting the repressive blockade of Gaza."

The Iranian official also met with Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov, who serves as the Kremlin envoy for the Middle East.

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