The Palestinian leader, Mahmoud Abbas, is currently in Moscow to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin. This marks their first face-to-face meeting since 2021, and they are expected to discuss the ongoing war between Israel and Gaza.
The Kremlin has maintained connections with both Israel and Palestine, but experts believe that Russia’s influence over the conflict is limited, and that this meeting primarily holds symbolic value. Samuel Ramani, author of *Russia in Africa*, stated to Al Jazeera: “When looking at Russia’s engagement in the Palestinian question, it is about more than just Palestine. It is about cementing their position in the Arab world and showing solidarity with the Palestinian cause, while the Americans support Israel.”
Unlike the United States and the European Union, Russia has not designated Hamas as a “terrorist” organization and has treated the group’s delegates as a legitimate political force since their electoral victory in the Palestinian elections of 2006. In February of this year, Russia held a conference with representatives from Hamas, Fatah, and Islamic Jihad aimed at reducing the often bitter divisions among them. However, Ruslan Suleymanov, an independent expert on the Middle East, noted that “nothing ever came of it.” He adds: “Moscow does not have any serious influence over Palestinian factions. Despite its support for Palestine, Moscow also criticizes Western countries for their backing of Israel, resulting in an anti-Western, and thus anti-Israeli, position.”
Thus, Russia has consistently used its veto power in the UN Security Council to oppose British and American proposals regarding Gaza, which is appreciated by the Palestinians. However, Russia’s own proposals for a ceasefire in Gaza have not received backing from the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Japan.
Furthermore, Russia has sent humanitarian aid to Gaza, which, according to Suleymanov, is significant for the Kremlin to demonstrate its role in the conflict. “But I don’t think it will lead to concrete results,” he cautioned.
The tensions between Israel and Russia are also complex, with a historical backdrop that is deeply rooted. After World War II, the Soviet Union initially supported the state of Israel but later turned against Zionism and began supporting Arab nations and Palestinian movements. As relations between Russia and Israel have grown more strained, China has also gained influence in the region.
“Moscow has no desire to see Israel support Ukraine in their conflict,” Katz added. “The Israelis are concerned that if their relationship with Moscow deteriorates, it could harm the Jewish population in Russia.”
Additionally, Hamas’s political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, has recently been in the spotlight following an assassination attempt in Tehran, which Russia condemned as an obstacle to ceasefire negotiations.
Abbas’s visit to Moscow comes at a time of significant need for international support and attention to the plight of the Palestinian people. However, it remains uncertain what concrete influence Russia truly holds in the conflict and how this meeting might affect the future of Palestine.