President Putin Calls President Trump's Gaza Armistice Proposal "Giving Light"

Russian President Vladimir Putin. (Source: Kremlin)

JAKARTA - Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday expressed cautious optimism against US President Donald Trump's 20-point ceasefire proposal for the Gaza Strip, calling it "light at the end of the tunnel" and implying Russia might support him on certain conditions.

Highlighting the situation in the Palestinian Bag region, President Putin said this was "absolutely a terrible event in the modern history of mankind," citing UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' statement that Gaza has become one of the world's largest "child graves".

"We are now getting closer to President Trump's initiative, and I think there may be a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel," he said at the Valdai Discussion Club, quoted from Anadolu, October 3.

He said traditional Western unilateral diplomacy, which "improves the history, traditions, identities and culture of the people living there," would not bring peace to the region.

President Putin underlined that Russia has historically supported a two-state solution, which began with UN resolutions in 1948 and 1974, saying President Trump's plans if it leads to such a final goal deserve support.

President Putin said he had not studied the proposal in detail, but noted the proposal envisioning the creation of an international governing body in Gaza, possibly led by former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, a figure President Putin has experience and is able to play a "positive role".

However, he questioned the duration of international rule, how power would turn to local authorities and how security would be managed.

"In my opinion, everything must be handed over to President Abbas and the current Palestinian government," the Kremlin leader said, adding a security component, which may involve local militias to maintain order, may be part of the transitional arrangements.

In addition, President Putin also voiced his support for his clauses in Trump's plan to call for the release of all hostages detained in Gaza and the release of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons.

He stressed the importance of clarifying how much could be released and when it was time. President Putin also emphasized the views of Palestine, countries in the region and Hamas must be considered in every agreement.

He added that Israel's position regarding the plan is still unclear and will be very important in determining its success.

It is known that President Trump's 20-point proposal announced earlier this week included the release of all Israeli hostages, the dissolution of Hamas, the distribution of humanitarian aid to Gaza, and the transfer of control of the enclave to interim governments led by Palestinian technocrats and international experts.