MOSCOW, April 10. /TASS/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Tor Wennesland have talked about prospects for a peaceful solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict after its hot phase is over, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement after their meeting.
"The interlocutors focused their attention on the prospects of reviving the peace process in the Israeli-Palestinian settlement after the hot phase of the conflict ends. Both sides emphasized that the two-state solution has no alternative, as it provides for the creation of an independent and autonomous State of Palestine within the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, coexisting in peace and security with Israel," the Foreign Ministry said.
"A detailed discussion of the current situation in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict zone, primarily in the Gaza Strip, took place during the conversation. Against the backdrop of the humanitarian disaster, which is gaining momentum in the enclave, [the sides] underscored the importance of an immediate ceasefire and release of hostages, and called for safe and unimpeded access to all victims and affected persons," the ministry said. "Sergey Lavrov emphasized that Hamas’ attack on October 7 should be condemned in every possible way, but cannot and must not be exploited as a pretext for collective punishment of millions of Palestinians."
In addition, the two diplomats exchanged views on developments in the Middle East, taking into account the escalation of tensions between Israel and Lebanon, Israel’s random attacks on Syria and instability in the Red Sea, the Russian Foreign Ministry added.
On Wednesday, Wennesland also held consultations with Russian Presidential Special Envoy for the Middle East and Africa, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov, the ministry said. During the meeting, they emphasized "the urgency of mobilizing collective international efforts aimed at bringing an immediate end to the bloodshed in the Gaza Strip and facilitating a comprehensive peace process in the Middle East."
"[They] underscored that without a just solution to the Palestinian issue, no lasting and long-term stabilization is possible in the Middle East," the ministry added.