No Peace in Middle East Without Sovereign Palestine State, Warns Russia
In an interview with Russian public television on Friday, April 24, 2026, Lavrov stated that while the question of establishing an independent Palestinian state may be temporarily suppressed, it risks exploding like a "time bomb" in the future. He emphasized that lasting peace in the Middle East is impossible without justice for Palestinians and a two-state solution.
The Russian Foreign Minister criticized the growing trend of ignoring United Nations resolutions regarding Palestine. He remarked that using military force to maintain temporary control is not a permanent solution; rather, it perpetuates an injustice against the Arab world that will eventually lead to a greater crisis. According to Lavrov, Israeli settlement expansion and crackdowns in the West Bank and Gaza are violations of international law that continue to destabilize the entire region.
Meanwhile, the situation on the ground in Gaza remains dire. According to the latest data from the Gaza Health Ministry, the death toll from Israeli attacks since October 7, 2023, has risen to 72,562. Although a ceasefire was announced on October 11, 2025, international media reports indicate that the truce has largely failed to hold. Since the ceasefire declaration, at least 786 people have been killed and 2,217 injured. With a total of over 150,000 people wounded, the conflict continues to present a catastrophic humanitarian picture for the region.
