Putin thanks Hamas for release of Russian-Israeli captive from Gaza
2 Min Read
Russian President Vladimir Putin thanks Hamas for the release of dual citizen Alexander Trufanov from the Gaza Strip, calling it a humanitarian act.
-
Russian President Vladimir Putin arrives to attend a meeting on development strategy for cosmonautics while visiting The Bauman Moscow State Technical University in Moscow, Russia, Wednesday, April 16, 2025 (AP)
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday expressed gratitude to the political leadership of Hamas for facilitating the release of Russian-Israeli captive Alexander Trufanov, who had been held in the Gaza Strip for over 500 days.
Trufanov was released on February 15 in what Putin described as a "humanitarian act". Speaking directly to Trufanov, Putin stated that his release was made possible by Russia’s long-standing and stable relations with the Palestinian people.
"We need to express our gratitude to the political leadership of Hamas for meeting us halfway and committing this humanitarian act, and you were released," Putin said.
The Russian president emphasized that Moscow had made every effort to secure Trufanov’s freedom and would continue similar efforts in the future. He also expressed hope that all hostages in similar situations would eventually be freed.
"I want to express the hope that all people who are in the position you were in will be free," Putin added.
Russia, Hamas regularly in contact
Russia has played a significant role throughout the Israeli genocide in Gaza. When the war first broke out in October, Moscow attempted to implement a ceasefire its resolution was vetoed by the US in the UN Security Council.
In March 2024, Hamas political bureau deputy head Moussa Abu Marzouk stated that the Palestinian Resistance suggested that Russia become involved in resolving the war on Gaza in counterbalance to the US and “Israel”.
"We want Russia to be the main actor in counterbalance to the US and Israel. We call for it, and we propose that Russia be backed by a number of countries that support it in this. And we will seek to achieve this goal to find balance in the issue," Marzouk said.
Abu Marzouk then visited Moscow on February 2 at the helm of a delegation from the movement, a source confirmed to the Russian news agency Sputnik.
The delegation was scheduled to hold talks with Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials, the source added, just ahead of Trufanov's release.
Read more: Gaza ceasefire implementation facing challenges, Lavrov says
