Diplomacy, Russian style: A recipe for deflection

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that "Israel cannot eliminate either Hamas or Hezbollah" and should explore alternative, peaceful solutions to the conflict in Gaza.

Lavrov made these remarks in an interview with the RT television channel, a well-known Russian state propaganda outlet.

« Israel is increasing its use of force against those it considers extremist radicals, such as Hezbollah and Hamas, whom Israel has vowed to eliminate," Lavrov highlighted. He argued that "this cannot be achieved because Hamas is part of the Palestinian people, just as Hezbollah is part of the Lebanese people."

Lavrov continued, "In our communications with our Israeli colleagues, we always strive to convey that it is pointless to solve problems by force without proposing other solutions." He reiterated his view that "Israel cannot eliminate either Hamas or Hezbollah."

Lavrov did not acknowledge that both Hezbollah and Hamas are designated terrorist organizations by multiple countries, including the United States, the European Union, and Israel. His comments came shortly after reports emerged that six Israeli hostages had been murdered by Hamas, with their bodies discovered in a tunnel in Gaza on Saturday.

Russia has consistently opposed further escalation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and warned against extending the fighting to other countries in the region, particularly Lebanon.

Lavrov further suggested that Ukraine and Israel were trying to provoke regional wars to address their own problems, a statement widely criticized as absurd and baseless.

Notably, Lavrov avoided any criticism of Iran, Russia’s close ally, which is widely seen as a key actor in the destabilization of the Middle East.

Instead, Lavrov's comments reflect Moscow's standard argumentation on the matter, deflecting blame from its allies and promoting a narrative that downplays the role of groups like Hezbollah and Hamas in regional instability.