Putin Accused of Forming ‘axis of terror’ After Inviting Hamas and Iran Leaders to Moscow; Senior Iranian Envoy Met Hamas Representatives in Moscow as Russia Seeks to Expand Its Clout

Putin accused of forming ‘axis of terror’ after inviting Hamas and Iran leaders to Moscow:

Russia has been condemned for rolling out the red carpet in Moscow for senior leaders of Hamas and Iran — which one alarmed expert called proof President Vladimir Putin is forming a new “axis of terror against the West.”

Russian Foreign Ministry officials met with Hamas leaders Bassem Naeem and Mousa Abu Marzouk in Moscow on Thursday, just weeks after their terror group stormed Israel and slaughtered at least 1,400 people, mostly civilians.

The terrorist leaders posed with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov, Putin’s special envoy in the Middle East — who also met Thursday with Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Ali Bagheri Kani.

The Iranian official also had his own talks with Hamas’ Marzouk while both were guests in Moscow, the Russian state news agency TASS reported Friday.

Hamas later praised Putin — who is currently waging war on Ukraine — for his “stance” on its war of terror on Israel.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said diplomats emphasized “the need for a cessation of hostilities in and around the Gaza Strip and the prompt provision of humanitarian assistance to the affected Palestinian population.”

It added that its deputy foreign minister and his Iranian guest, Bagheri Kani, also reaffirmed a shared commitment to “continue close coordination of efforts in the interests of stabilizing the situation in the Middle East.”

The meetings set off alarm bells in the West that Russia was forming an alliance with Hamas — with Iran acting as a trusted go-between given its existing role as Russia’s supplier of kamikaze drones as well as its long-running support and funding for the terror group. —>READ MORE HERE

Senior Iranian envoy met Hamas representatives in Moscow as Russia seeks to expand its clout:

A senior Iranian envoy met with Hamas representatives in Moscow following talks with Russian diplomats that underscored Moscow’s efforts to expand its clout as a power broker in the latest Israel-Hamas war, Russian and Iranian media said Friday.

During the meeting with Hamas’ representative Moussa Abu Marzouk, Iran’s deputy foreign minister, Ali Bagheri Kani, emphasized the need for a cease-fire, lifting the blockade of the Gaza Strip and providing humanitarian assistance, according to a statement Friday by the Iranian Embassy in Moscow. The statement was carried by Russian state news agencies.

Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency said Abu Marzouk told Bagheri Khani that he appreciated Iran’s support for the Palestinian people.

Prior to the meeting, Abu Marzouk held talks Thursday with Russian diplomats. His Moscow visit drew strong condemnation by Israel. The Russian Foreign Ministry said they discussed the release of hostages in the Gaza Strip and the evacuation of foreigners.

The talks highlighted Russia’s efforts to insert itself as a mediator in the wake of Hamas’ deadly Oct. 7 incursion into southern Israel — even though it continues to be occupied with its war in Ukraine. At least 19 Russian citizens have died in the Israel-Hamas war.

Russian President Vladimir Putin declared earlier this month that Moscow could act as mediator because of its friendly ties with both Israel and the Palestinians, adding that “no one could suspect us of playing up to one party.”

Despite that claim of even-handedness, a U.N. Security Council resolution that Russia previously submitted condemning violence against civilians made no mention of Hamas. The statement was rejected by the council. —>READ MORE HERE

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