Russian President Vladimir Putin has been criticized for delaying his response to the resistance's operation on October 7th, blaming the US for the failed policy in the Middle East.

"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.

"The most important way in which Russia stands to benefit from this crisis in Gaza is by scoring points in the court of global public opinion," Notte added.

Read more: Russian analyst: Strategic consequences to emerge from Gaza war

Ally of Iran

Moscow's close relationship with Iran, a Hamas ally, and its pro-Palestinian stance signal a shift in Russia's Middle East policy.

"Russia understands that the US and the EU have fully supported Israel, but the US and the EU are now the embodiment of evil and cannot be right in any way," Sergei Markov, a former Kremlin adviser, wrote in his blog.

"Therefore, Russia will not be in the same camp with the US and the EU. Israel's main ally is the United States, Russia's main enemy right now. And Hamas' ally is Iran, an ally of Russia."

Double Standards

The Kremlin aims to gain global public support by highlighting Western double standards and positioning itself as a potential peacemaker, Markov noted.

In a recent interview with an Arab TV channel, Putin stated that Russia maintains stable and businesslike ties with "Israel" and has fostered friendly relations with Palestine for many decades. He expressed the belief that Russia could play a role in contributing to the settlement process in the region, a process which the US has failed to effectively lead.

🇷🇺Vladimir Putin:

“We have stable relations with Israel, friendly relations with Palestine, as our friends know. I think Russia could also contribute to the settlement process. But the urgency is so high that we do not see it anywhere”.@ukraine_watch pic.twitter.com/LObtucY2fx

— Zlatti71 (@djuric_zlatko) October 11, 2023

Additionally, Markov noted that Russia sees economic benefits and an opportunity to divert Western resources away from Ukraine. 

"Russia benefits from any conflict that the US and EU have to devote resources to because it reduces resources for the anti-Russian regime in Ukraine," he said. 

Read more: Borrell: EU gave 'highest figure ever' of $28.9bn total to Ukraine