Photo by Reuters
March 3, Moscow, Russia -- Hamas representatives came to the Russian capital on a commercial flight, and in their first statement they said that they were not going to recognize Israel, and as long as the "occupiers" don't leave their territory there can be no peace talks. If commentators in the West believe that Putin supports this kind of terrorist movement and terror-friendly governments, well, the West is wrong -- Putin canceled his appointment with the Hamas leaders, and instead they will hold talks only with the Russian Foreign Minister, who has already stated several times that negotiating is the only way to solve the problem of Israel and Palestine. The Foreign Minister added that Hamas can't hope for any kind of political and international future without getting serious about ending terrorism against Israel.
On the last day of the Hamas leaders' three days in Moscow, March 5, they will be regular tourists, admiring Russian architecture and the treasures of the Kremlin. The palace exhibitions are visited weekly by thousands of tourists - that's the closest Hamas leaders will get to Putin.
I'm always asked if Putin has relationships or mutual anti-American plans with Iran, Syria and the Palestinians, and I always answer, that if it appears as he does, this is only due only to the chaos in Russia. Russia fights the same war as the Americans and shares vital interests with the U.S.
In the meantime, a Chechen terrorist spokesman said that the "Mujahideen of Palestine are our brothers, and we regret their decision...they will shake hands with the killers of the true Muslims..." It appears that; Hamas has been humiliated and told to "get lost" by Putin, to "get serious" by Russia's Foreign Minister, and the visit outraged their jihadist "brothers" from Chechnya. All in all, not a bad week of work for Putin and the Russian Foreign Ministry.
Please also read the New York Times article.
Hamas is out of money. Perhaps they thought they could get hold of some good Russian money (US dolars). They ought to start spamming and "Offering millions if only you send in a few thousand to help release funds seized and held in trust for you my friend, after the downfall of an African dictator..."
Re: Hamas & Russia
Yuri & Co.
I'm glad that Russia Blog is providing in depth analysis on this matter.
I'm also happy that the anti-Putin backlash from some in Israel has toned down.
My sense is that Putin, Lavrov and some others in the Russian government are on the Israel friendly side. As a Cold War hangover, I get the impression that there're others on the Russian government side thinking differently. This continued Cold War mindset is also evident among some influential circles in Israel and the U.S.
I understand the intitial Israeli apprehension about the invite of Hamas to Moscow. At the same time, I knew full well (before the Hamas visit) how Russia would approach the matter with the newly elected Palestinian organization.
Relatedly, let's remember that the U.S. and Israel had signed off on the Palestinian election with the knowledge of Hamas being on the ballot.
The just completed meeting of Hamas in Moscow shows that the U.S., Israel and Russia share a consensus of what is and isn't acceptable in the international system of diplomacy and governance.
Very interesting article, Yuri, as usual.
To be honest, I doubt that Putin is fighting the same war. In one of your previous articles, you write: "The truth is that no one is in charge to prevent such exports; no one is actually considering what is going to happen to the missiles Russia is selling to Syria and Iran."
Why isn't Putin in charge?
I don't think Putin has big anti-American plans, but I think he's unprincipled enough to do things that increase his clan's power, and hurt American interests, as well as the interests of ordinary Russians.