Russia Treads Cautiously Amid Israel-Hamas Conflict While Aiming to Bolster Global Influence

14

In a bid to strengthen its international standing and counteract Western attempts to isolate it over the Ukrainian situation, Russia is adopting a calculated stance on the Israel-Hamas war.

Though Moscow has limited means to act as a mediator in the Middle East, it may exploit existing concerns over the West’s handling of the crisis as a way to gain political leverage.

The ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict serves another purpose for Russia: diverting global attention from the Ukraine conflict and diminishing support for Kyiv.

However, Moscow faces potential pitfalls, including jeopardizing its diplomatic relations with Israel, a country that thus far has refrained from supplying arms to Ukraine.

Diplomatic Stances and International Interactions

Russian President Vladimir Putin has denounced the Oct. 7 assault by Hamas militants on southern Israeli towns. Concurrently, he cautioned Israel against implementing a blockade on Gaza, drawing parallels with Nazi Germany’s blockade of Leningrad during World War II.

Putin criticizes American diplomacy in the region, accusing the United States of opting for financial aid to Palestinians at the expense of efforts to establish a Palestinian state. He has suggested that Moscow, with its good relations with both Israel and the Palestinians, could act as a neutral mediator.

However, despite assertions of impartiality, a recent U.N. Security Council resolution proposed by Russia, which condemned violence against civilians, conspicuously omitted any mention of Hamas and was subsequently rejected.

China sided with Russia in support of the draft resolution, illustrating a unified stance between the two nations. Last week, their Middle East envoys met to explore collaborative measures for de-escalating tensions, underscoring their commitment to a two-state solution.

Delicate Balancing Act

While Western leaders like U.S. President Joe Biden and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak promptly visited Israel, Putin took nine days before contacting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, despite their previously warm relations. Putin’s discussions on the conflict extended to regional leaders, including those of Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Syria, and the Palestinian Authority.

According to a Kremlin summary of his conversation with Netanyahu, Putin conveyed his condolences for the loss of Israeli lives and emphasized his unequivocal condemnation of acts that harm civilians. He also stressed the necessity for resolving the conflict through diplomatic channels.

Domestic and Foreign Policy Challenges

Other Russian officials have been more forthright in criticizing Israel’s actions. Konstantin Kosachev, deputy speaker of the Russian parliament, described Israel’s response as “disproportionate” and “inhumane.”

Domestic considerations may be influencing Russia’s posture, given that Muslims constitute approximately 15% of the Russian population. Moscow-backed Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov has been vocally supportive of the Palestinians, criticizing Israel’s actions.

While this stance garners acclaim from Hamas and resonates within the Arab world, it simultaneously endangers Russia’s hitherto amicable relations with Israel, which has avoided joining Western sanctions against Russia or arming Ukraine.

Complex Reactions and Future Possibilities

Critics within Israel have expressed dissatisfaction with Russia’s role. Andrei Kortunov, the academic director of the Russian International Affairs Council, acknowledged the risks of straining relations with Israel. Concurrently, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov reiterated Russia’s anti-terrorism stance and advocated for a quick cease-fire and the establishment of a Palestinian state.

Internally divided opinions have also manifested among Russian commentators and policymakers. Some even see Moscow’s increasingly anti-Israeli position as a relic from Soviet times.

In summary, Russia faces a complex landscape, attempting to exploit the ongoing conflict for geopolitical gains while balancing domestic and international concerns. Its calculated approach to the Israel-Hamas war has far-reaching implications, not only for its standing in the Middle East but also for its larger global ambitions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Russia’s approach to Israel-Hamas conflict

More about Russia’s approach to Israel-Hamas conflict

• Russian Foreign Policy on the Middle East
• Russia’s Relations with Israel
• The Israel-Hamas Conflict: A Timeline
• Russia-Ukraine Conflict: Recent Developments
• Russia and China: A Geopolitical Alliance
• U.N. Security Council Resolutions on Israel and Palestine
• Russia’s Domestic Muslim Population and Foreign Policy