Peskov: Middle East region is adjacent to Russia, escalation of conflict there is dangerous

17 May 2021

 

The Palestinian-Israeli conflict, if unchecked, is a threat to Russia because it takes place in an adjacent region, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Monday, commenting on Russian leader Vladimir Putin's words that the conflict is taking place in the immediate vicinity of Russia's borders.


"The Middle East region is not on some other continent, it is an adjacent region to us, that is what is meant by close proximity. And this conflict (between Palestine and Israel) really poses a danger in case of uncontrolled expansion and continuation," he said.


Peskov noted that many countries in this region are in a rather complicated relationship. "In general, the region has a rather fragile security system, a huge deficit of mutual trust and a long-standing potential for regional conflicts, which is not conducive to stabilization. It is very important not to let events take the form of a power scenario. Therefore, the Quartet (Russia, the US, the UN, and the EU) is making intensive efforts; various countries are now in constant contact with the Israelis and the Palestinians through bilateral channels in order to stop the exchange of military blows," added the Kremlin spokesperson.


Russian President Vladimir Putin's contacts with Israeli or Palestinian leaders can be arranged if necessary, but there have been none in recent days, Peskov said. "Vladimir Putin has not yet had personal contacts in recent days with either the Israeli or Palestinian sides. If necessary, they can be organized," the Kremlin spokesman said.


He added that the Russian Foreign Ministry is working most actively in the process of dialogue, including through the Middle East Quartet.


Commenting on reports of rocket attacks on buildings with offices of some of the world's leading media outlets in Gaza, Peskov noted that the Kremlin is "extremely concerned about the fact that such strikes are taking place." "We are extremely concerned about the growing number of human casualties," the presidential spokesman also added.


According to the Kremlin website, Putin last spoke by phone with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas in December 2020 and with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on May 7, 2021.

 

 

GSV "Russia - Islamic World"

Photo: Mikhail Metzel / TASS

Based on materials from TASS