The Kremlin on Tuesday joined other countries in expressing support for U.S. President Donald Trump's 20-point plan to end the war in Gaza.
“Russia always supports and welcomes any efforts by President Trump aimed at ending this ongoing tragedy,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on a daily briefing call.
“Of course, we want this plan to be implemented and for it to help bring events in the Middle East to a peaceful conclusion,” Peskov added.
Trump’s plan calls for a ceasefire, release of hostages by Hamas within 72 hours, disarmament of Hamas and gradual Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, followed by a post-war transitional authority headed by Trump himself.
The deal would demand Hamas militants be excluded from future roles in the government, but those who agreed to “peaceful coexistence” would be given amnesty.
Peskov said Russia was not part of the U.S. ceasefire plan.
Key Arab and Muslim nations, including mediators Egypt and Qatar, hailed the agreement's “sincere efforts” in the wake of their own talks with Trump last week. The Palestinian Authority welcomed Trump's “sincere and determined efforts.”
Washington's European allies promptly voiced support, with the leaders of Britain, France, Germany and Italy sharing strong expressions of support for the plan, while China also voiced its backing.
Russia maintains working relationships with both Israel and the Palestinian authorities, as well as with Hamas, which Moscow does not consider a terrorist organization.
President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly called for the establishment of a Palestinian state as a long-term resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
AFP contributed reporting.
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