Putin says ME 'on brink of full-scale war', Xi calls for united force
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On the last day of the BRICS summit, the Russian and Chinese presidents warned against the spread of the war in the Middle East.
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Chinese President Xi Jinping, left, and Russian President Vladimir Putin attend a family photo ceremony prior to Outreach/BRICS Plus format session at the BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia, on October 24, 2024. (AP)
The Middle East is on the brink of full-scale war, warned Russian President Vladimir Putin at the 16th BRICS summit on Thursday.
He told a meeting in Kazan, attended by several world leaders, that the war that started a year ago in Gaza has now spread to Lebanon, adding that "other countries in the region are also affected."
"The level of confrontation between Israel and Iran has sharply risen. This is all reminiscent of a chain reaction and puts the whole Middle East on the verge of full-scale war," Putin said.
The Russian leader emphasized at the summit, which was attended by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, that violence in the Middle East will persist until an independent Palestinian state is established.
He underscored that "the key demand for restoring peace and stability on Palestinian territories is carrying out the two-state formula approved by the UN Security Council and General Assembly."
Putin indicated that establishing an independent Palestinian state would rectify the historical injustice faced by the Palestinian people, stating, "Until this issue is resolved, breaking the cycle of violence will be impossible."
Xi tells BRICS summit world facing 'serious challenges'
In the same context, Chinese President Xi Jinping told BRICS leaders on Thursday that the world is facing "serious challenges" and urged the group to act as a "stabilizing force."
He said the "common march of the global South towards modernity is a major event in world history."
The Chinese leader called for a stabilized force for peace, strengthened global security governance, and the exploration of solutions to hotspot issues that "address both the symptoms and root causes," adding that the world is facing serious challenges to its "peaceful development".
Xi also called for a ceasefire in Gaza and the prevention of further escalations in Lebanon.
"We need to continue to push for a ceasefire in Gaza, relaunch the two-state solution, and stop the spread of war in Lebanon," the Chinese President asserted.
"There should be no more suffering and destruction in Palestine and Lebanon," he underlined.
The two statements come on the final day of the BRICS summit in Kazan. On Wednesday, Putin said that the BRICS nations play a vital role in promoting global stability and security, significantly contributing to the resolution of pressing regional issues.
"This is the essence of the strategy of the BRICS course in the international arena, which meets the aspirations of the main part of the international community — the so-called global majority. And it is precisely this course that is especially in demand in the current conditions when truly significant changes are taking place in the world," Putin said.
He said that Russia seeks to strengthen the role of BRICS in the world and focus on solving global and local problems, adding, "We sought to strengthen the authority of BRICS, to increase its role in world affairs, in solving pressing global and regional problems."
