Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin affirmed Russia’s principled stance on the Palestinian issue, stressing in an official statement that supporting the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, foremost among them their right to self-determination and the establishment of their independent state, constitutes an essential and indispensable pillar of Moscow’s foreign policy towards the Middle East region.
In a press statement issued by the Russian Foreign Ministry on Thursday, Vershinin explained that Moscow continues its intensive diplomatic efforts to play an active role in achieving regional stability. He noted that this role involves supporting political processes and coordinating positions with international and regional partners to prevent the escalation of tensions and to ensure that the region does not descend into further violence and chaos.
The historical roots of the Russian position
The Russian statement is based on a long history of diplomatic relations between Moscow and the Palestinians, during which Russia (and the former Soviet Union) has consistently supported a two-state solution in accordance with international law. Moscow believes that a just and comprehensive solution to the conflict can only be achieved through the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state within the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. This position aligns with relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative, and is reiterated by Russian diplomats in all international forums as a non-negotiable principle.
Strategic and international importance
The significance of this Russian affirmation lies in its sensitive timing, as the region witnesses unprecedented turmoil and a military escalation that necessitates effective international intervention. Russia, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council and a member of the Middle East Quartet, seeks to balance international power and push for a multilateral peace process, rejecting any single international party's monopoly on the political settlement.
Observers believe that Russia’s insistence on the centrality of the Palestinian issue reflects Moscow’s vision of regional security; it considers that the continuation of the conflict without a political horizon fuels extremism and threatens energy security and global trade routes, making the establishment of a Palestinian state a common international interest and not merely a Palestinian demand.
Prospects for diplomatic action
In closing, the Russian diplomat indicated that his country would continue its contacts with all relevant parties, including Palestinian factions and neighboring states, to create a conducive environment for the resumption of serious negotiations. These moves underscore Moscow's ambition to solidify its role as a guarantor of stability and an impartial mediator seeking to end decades of conflict through the implementation of international law and UN resolutions.
