The Hamas delegation met with the Special Envoy of the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov, at the headquarters of the Russian Foreign Ministry on Friday, the terror organization stated on its Telegram channel.
Hamas’s delegation included members of the political arm of the terror organization including Mousa Abu Marzouk and Hossam Badran.
“The movement’s delegation thanked the Russian Federation for their positions in support of the Palestinian people, and for hosting the Palestinian meetings.” Hamas stated on its Telegram channel.
The terror organization stated that the Hamas delegation briefed FM Bogdanov on the “course of the Al-Aqsa Flood battle” as they emphasized the need for continuation of the war until Gazans “gain their freedom.”
Russia's foreign ministry
Russia’s foreign ministry stated in a press release after the meeting, “It goes without saying that our main priority is to stop the bloodshed. We have worked on this since the first days after the October 7, 2023 attack. We have condemned the assault. But it is unacceptable to respond with collective punishment of Palestinians.”
Russia’s foreign ministry highlighted the need for Palestinian unity, and wished Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas success in forming a new cabinet. Abbas accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh and his cabinet on Tuesday, and requested that he stay on until a replacement is appointed.
Russia had previously received a delegation from Hamas in mid-January, in which the Russian foreign ministry had urged the organization to release the hostages the terror group is holding in the Gaza strip, including three Russian nationals, Russia’s foreign ministry stated.
Russia has had ties with Hamas since its establishment. Russian made weapons have found their way into the hands of Hamas for several years, and Hamas-linked terrorist groups found ways to circumvent Western sanctions by utilizing Russia’s cryptocurrency exchanges, according to a mid-October Wall Street Journal report.
Russia and Hamas plan to continue talks moving forward as the war between Hamas and Israel progresses.