Moscow remains skeptical regarding the rapid implementation of a US-backed disarmament agreement for Hamas, citing a total absence of trust and a lack of reliable guarantee mechanisms between parties, according to Aleksander Kinshchak, director of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s Department of the Middle East and North Africa.

Speaking with the Russian news agency Interfax, the senior diplomat emphasized that Moscow maintains continuous communication with a wide array of political forces, including Hamas and Hezbollah, to address ceasefires, humanitarian aid, and evacuations.

Addressing the broader regional landscape, Kinshchak stated that Russia consistently advocates for an immediate end to hostilities in Lebanon and a transition toward a political settlement based on consensus among major political factions like Hezbollah.

On bilateral ties with Israel, he acknowledged that relations have faced strains, namely due to the war in Ukraine, though he confirmed that Israeli officials provided explicit assurances that reports of weapon deliveries to Ukraine are untrue.