Moscow, Russia – Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov expressed pessimism on Monday regarding the stability of the Middle East in the foreseeable future, asserting that the region will not see calm soon despite the numerous initiatives proposed. He made these remarks in a speech delivered at the Middle East conference of the Valdai International Discussion Club.
The ambiguity of Trump’s plan
Lavrov criticized the lack of clarity in the details of the current US plan, known as the “Trump Plan.” He also pointed to the continued violence and the ambiguity surrounding the key components of a solution. The Russian minister identified several crucial points lacking transparency, including the timing and final mechanism for the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip. He also addressed the means of disarming Hamas and organizing humanitarian aid. Furthermore, he touched upon the nature of the executive leadership in the Strip and the extent of the Palestinian Authority’s involvement in its administration. Finally, he discussed the mechanism for implementing UN resolutions concerning the establishment of a single Palestinian state.
Phase Two and Reconstruction
Lavrov noted that the United States’ announcement of moving to the “second phase” of Trump’s plan, which focuses on humanitarian issues and reconstruction work, does not negate the fact that the fundamental issue remains “the possibility of establishing a Palestinian state.”
Invitation to the Peace Council
The Russian Foreign Minister called on the “Peace Council,” established at the initiative of former US President Trump, to genuinely and seriously examine the “root causes” of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, rather than settling for superficial solutions. He also stressed the need to address the core issues to ensure long-term stability in the region.
