(TheProudRepublic.com) – Raising concerns about President Vladimir Putin’s intentions in the Middle East, Russia recently hosted senior leaders of Hamas and Iran in Moscow. The move has sparked fears of potential alliances against Western interests.
High-ranking members of Hamas, including Bassem Naeem and Mousa Abu Marzouk, met with Russian officials, specifically Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov, who is also Putin’s special envoy in the Middle East. This meeting occurred a few weeks after a conflict in which Hamas launched attacks on Israel, resulting in significant deaths.
On the same day, Bogdanov also met with Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Ali Bagheri Kani. Furthermore, TASS, Russia’s state news agency, reported that while in Moscow, the Iranian official also held discussions with Hamas’ Marzouk.
Hamas later publicly commended Putin, who is currently involved in a conflict with Ukraine, for his stance on Hamas’ actions against Israel. The Russian Foreign Ministry, addressing the meetings, highlighted their focus on “the need for a cessation of hostilities in and around the Gaza Strip” and on delivering humanitarian aid to Palestinians. They also mentioned a shared commitment with Iran to stabilize the Middle East.
These interactions have caused unease in the West, with concerns arising about Russia potentially forming an alliance with Hamas, possibly using Iran as an intermediary. Kasra Aarabi, a director at US-based United Against Nuclear Iran, expressed to The Telegraph that this development should deeply concern Western nations. He stated that both Russia and Iran’s “hostility towards the West” might signal “a new and looming axis of terror against the West.”
Israel responded critically to the meetings in Moscow and condemned Russia’s decision to host Hamas leaders, equating it to endorsing terrorism. The Israeli Foreign Ministry stated, “Israel sees the invitation of senior Hamas officials to Moscow as an obscene step that gives support to terrorism and legitimizes the atrocities of Hamas terrorists.”
In response to the criticism, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that while the Hamas delegation met with Russia’s foreign ministry representatives, they did not meet with Putin or his administration. Peskov emphasized the importance of maintaining contact with all parties involved in the Middle East conflict and affirmed Russia’s commitment to continuing dialog with Israel.
