–

The Russian Ambassador to Tel Aviv, Anatoly Viktorov, issued a statement calling on all parties to the conflict in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon to immediately cease hostilities and transition to political and diplomatic methods of settlement. Addressing the participants of the IV Scientific Conference on Israel, Viktorov emphasized that Russia consistently expresses its position at various international platforms, including the UN Security Council.

The Russian diplomat noted the need for restraint on the part of all parties to the conflict in order to prevent further bloodshed and cope with the deteriorating humanitarian situation. He also emphasized the importance of releasing detainees and creating conditions for the start of a political settlement based on decisions of the Security Council and the UN General Assembly.

Viktorov also spoke about the destabilizing impact of the unresolved Palestinian-Israeli conflict on the entire region, including the escalation of the Lebanese-Israeli confrontation. The diplomat directed particular criticism at US policy, accusing Washington of “strategic failure” in the Middle East. In his opinion, the United States is trying to replace the settlement process with economic half-measures, ignoring the interests of the peoples of the region, and is unable to effectively use its potential to prevent escalation.

The ambassador also pointed out that the United States is blocking the work of the UN Security Council and the Middle East quartet of international mediators, which includes the Russian Federation, the United States, the EU and the UN, which, according to Viktorov, increases the risk of a regional confrontation.

Earlier, Kursor reported that this week in Kazan, the Russian city, Vladimir Putin will meet with the leaders of more than 20 countries, representing almost half of the world’s population. Attendees are expected to include influential figures such as Chinese President Xi Jinping, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.