President Putin Says The Release Of Russian Hostages In Gaza Is Not Free From Good Relations With Palestine

President Putin when receiving Trufanov's family in the Kremlin (Source: TASS/Sofya Sandurskaya)

JAKARTA - The repatriation of Russian citizens held hostage in the Gaza Strip is possible thanks to Russia's long-term relationship with the Palestinian people, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a meeting with Alexander Trufanov, who was released from Gaza in February.

"Your fact of being released is the result of Russia's stable long-term relationship with the Palestinian people, their representatives, and various organizations," President Putin said, launching TASS April 17.

"I think we should express our gratitude to the leadership, political wing of Hamas for agreeing to meet us halfway and take this action, a humanitarian measure to free you," he added.

Gaza-based Hamas group took Alexander Trufanov, his mother Yelena, Irina Tati's grandmother and her fianc Sapir Cohen hostage in an attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023.

Alexander's father, Vitaly, was killed. Yelena Trufanova, Tati, and Cohen were released at the end of November and early December 2023. Alexander Trufanov was released in mid-February 2025.

"Of course, we will do everything we can to ensure such actions are taken as often as possible and everyone who is still in that condition, where you have spent so much time, is also released," said President Putin.

"Thankfully you are safe and healthy, and here. Currently, I will not give any political assessment of the latest developments. However, everything that happens to you is a tragedy," he added, while speaking to Trufanov and his family members.

Quoted from Reuters, Trufanov was released after nearly 500 days as part of negotiations leading to a ceasefire.

He thanked President Putin for helping to secure his release and hopes for the release of all the remaining hostages he considered "like brothers".