Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel and President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia spoke by phone on Sunday for the primary time in weeks, providing sharply totally different accounts of what was mentioned in a mirrored image of the strained relationship between the 2 leaders for the reason that outbreak of struggle between Israel and Hamas.
Mr. Netanyahu mentioned he was dissatisfied with positions Moscow had adopted on the United Nations Safety Council and “expressed sharp criticism of the dangerous cooperation between Russia and Iran,” in accordance with a press release from his workplace.
For its half, the Kremlin mentioned that the main focus of the dialog was on the “catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.”
Russia, a everlasting member of the U.N. Safety Council, on Friday backed a United Nations decision calling for an immediate cease-fire within the Gaza Strip and mentioned the USA was “complicit in Israel’s brutal massacre,” an apparent reference to the greater than 17,000 individuals who the Gazan well being authorities say have been killed within the enclave for the reason that struggle started. America blocked the decision, arguing that Israel has the fitting to defend itself towards assaults by Hamas.
Mr. Netanyahu’s criticism of Russia over its ties with Iran is, partly, a reference to the shut relationship between the 2 nations fostered by the struggle in Ukraine. Tehran, a principal backer of Hamas, has provided Moscow with hundreds of exploding drones to be used in Russia’s struggle in Ukraine.
Mr. Putin has referred to as the Oct. 7 Hamas assault on Israel a terrorist act — and he reiterated that place throughout the name on Sunday, the Kremlin mentioned. Whereas his help for Israel was initially muted, he has tried to protect working ties with the nation.
On the identical time, Mr. Putin has argued that the dominance of Western elites allowed for the disaster to occur within the first place. And state media in Russia has voiced support for Hamas and undercut Israel. It has additionally denigrated the USA, Israel’s important ally.
“The Russian side is ready to provide all possible assistance to alleviate the suffering of civilians and de-escalate the conflict,” the Kremlin mentioned in its assertion on the leaders’ dialog.
Underscoring the layered nature of the connection between the 2 leaders, Mr. Netanyahu additionally praised Russian efforts to free an Israeli citizen who additionally has Russian citizenship from captivity in Gaza. Israeli authorities say that the assault led by Hamas on Oct. 7 killed round 1,200 folks and round 240 folks have been additionally taken hostage.
