Netanyahu during call with Putin: Iran-Russia cooperation dangerous

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen
10 Dec 2023 16:32
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Netanyahu's office reports that he expressed his dissatisfaction with the stances taken by Russian representatives in the UN and international forums.

Russian President Vladimir Putin listens to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during their meeting at the Jewish Museum in Moscow, Russia, Monday, January 29, 2018 (AP)

During a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin which lasted around 50 minutes, the Israeli Occupation Prime Minister communicated his dissatisfaction with the stance of Russian representatives at the UN and other international forums regarding issues related to the war in Palestine, the Israeli Army Radio reported citing Netanyahu's office.

"Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke today with Russian President Vladimir Putin about the war with Hamas and the situation in the region. The prime minister expressed dissatisfaction with the position of Russian representatives at the UN and other forums regarding Israel," Netanyahu's office said in a statement.

Additionally, Netanyahu reportedly criticized the increasing cooperation between Russia and Iran, describing it as dangerous.

Netanyahu, however, thanked Putin for his efforts in facilitating the release of a settler with dual Israeli-Russian citizenship held captive in Gaza.

Lavrov: 'Hamas operation did not come out of nowhere'

Concurrently, the Kremlin released a statement revealing that Putin affirmed his rejection and condemnation of "all forms of terrorism."

"A phone call took place between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The escalation in the zone of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and a catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, in particular, topped the agenda. Vladimir Putin reaffirmed the principled position of rejection and condemnation of terrorism in all its forms," the Kremlin statement read.

Earlier today, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that Russia has warned "Israel" for years now that the unresolved situation of the Palestinian people is the most significant stabilizing factor in the Middle East.

Lavrov emphasized that "there must be international monitoring on the ground in Gaza": adding that Hamas' operation on October 7 "didn't arise out of nowhere".

Back in November, Putin slammed the US for their failed policy in the Middle East which led to the current genocide in Gaza.

"I think that many will agree with me that this is a clear example of the failed policy in the Middle East of the United States, which tried to monopolize the settlement process," Putin told Iraq's prime minister.

According to Reuters, Western observers believe that Putin is using the war on Gaza to escalate tensions with the West and promote a new world order, challenging US dominance.

"In doing all of this, Russia understands very well that it aligns itself with constituencies across the Middle East and even beyond - in the Global South, in their views on the Palestinian issue where the Palestinian cause continues to resonate," Hanna Notte, a Berlin-based Russian foreign policy expert, told the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center.