(Reuters) – Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin on Wednesday met Russian nationals free of captivity within the Gaza strip after militant group Hamas’ October 2023 assaults on Israel and stated Moscow’s longstanding ties with Palestinians helped safe their freedom.
“The truth that you at the moment are free is a results of Russia’s a few years of secure relations with the Palestinian individuals, with the representatives of various organisations,” Russian information companies quoted Putin as telling former hostage Alexander Trufanov and members of his household.
“Right here we’ve to supply a phrase of gratitude to the management and to the political wing of Hamas for a gesture made to us in finishing up this humanitarian act,” the companies stated he advised the late-night Kremlin assembly.
Russia, Putin stated, “had really accomplished all the pieces doable” to safe Trufanov’s liberation and would undertake no matter was essential to make sure these nonetheless in captivity could be freed.
Trufanov was freed after practically 500 days in captivity in February as a part of talks resulting in a ceasefire. He thanked Putin for serving to safe his launch and hoped for the discharge of all remaining hostages whom he seen “like brothers”.
The companies stated Putin additionally introduced flowers to Trufanov’s mom, Elena, and his fiancee, Sapir Cohen, who had been additionally amongst some 250 hostages seized by Hamas on October 7, 2023.
They had been launched in late 2023, as was Trufanov’s grandmother. Trufanov’s father was killed within the assaults.
Russia’s chief rabbi and the pinnacle of the federation of Russian Jewish communities additionally took half within the assembly.
Russia has sought to take care of good ties with either side within the battle, however has stated a settlement within the Center East is just doable on the premise of a two-state answer.
(Reporting by Reuters; Enhancing by Lincoln Feast)
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