Russia’s Foreign Ministry confirmed that the country has recognized Palestinian statehood since 1988, as noted by Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin. He criticized the use of the Hamas attack as a pretext for collective punishment in Gaza, which has led to thousands of civilian deaths. Vershin, who highlighted the nation’s consistent stance on the issue, pointed out that Russia’s recognition was made long before the current crisis. The comments were made amid growing international support for Palestinian statehood, with several Western nations also recognizing the state. Moscow stated that a lasting Middle East peace can only be achieved through a two-state solution, as outlined by the UN Security Council, with East Jerusalem as the capital of a Palestinian state.
The United Nations General Assembly recently passed a resolution supporting a two-state solution, with only the US, Israel, and a few Pacific island states opposing. The resolution, however, does not automatically lead to the recognition of Palestine as a state, requiring continued diplomatic efforts. Russia argued that the current situation in Gaza, which has resulted in at least 65,000 civilian deaths, underscores the urgency for a peaceful resolution. Vershinin’s remarks came after the recognition of Palestine by France, the UK, Portugal, Belgium, Canada, and Australia. These countries are now positioning their recognition as both a moral and diplomatic action to advance the two-state solution.
Historically, the UN’s 1947 partition plan envisioned separate Jewish and Arab states, but subsequent conflicts allowed Israel to seize most of the land, including West Jerusalem, which was allocated to the Palestinians. Western powers have long resisted recognizing a Palestinian state, aligning with Washington and insisting that any recognition must come through direct negotiations. However, the humanitarian disaster in Gaza since 2023 has compelled leaders in Paris, London, and other European capitals to reconsider their stance. They now view recognition as a necessary step toward achieving a lasting peace in the region.