Kremlin engages Hamas official amid hostage negotiations

Musa Abu Marzouk, Kremlin the deputy head of Hamas‘s political wing, visited Moscow to discuss the release of Russian nationals hostage negotiations .His meeting with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov, who also acts as Vladimir Putin‘s special representative for the Middle East, highlights the Kremlin’s ongoing engagement with the militant group despite international concerns.

The Russian Foreign Ministry stated that the discussions centered on the situation in Gaza and emphasized Russia’s commitment to promoting the unity of Palestinian political forces, specifically within the framework of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). This outreach comes as Abu Marzouk, designated by the U.S. as a “specially designated global terrorist,” suggested that Hamas could prioritize the release of two Russian hostages as part of an exchange deal with Israel.

In an interview with Russian state media, Abu Marzouk revealed that the two hostages include military serviceman Alexander Trufanov, who is reportedly held by the Islamic Jihad movement. However, Israeli reports contradict this, stating that Trufanov was captured by Hamas fighters during the violent assaults in southern Israel on October 7, 2022, which resulted in approximately 1,200 fatalities.

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The second Russian national mentioned by Abu Marzouk is Maxim Harkin, whose family sought Russian citizenship for him in hopes of securing assistance in negotiations for his release. Abu Marzouk articulated that Hamas is not requesting military aid from Russia but rather seeks humanitarian assistance and support in the UN Security Council.

The ongoing relationship between Hamas and the Kremlin has remained robust, with a Hamas delegation visiting Moscow shortly after the October 7 attacks. In this context, Abu Marzouk urged Russia to influence Mahmoud Abbas, chairman of the Fatah movement and the PLO, to initiate talks aimed at forming a Palestinian unity government.

As the situation unfolds, the Kremlin’s role in these negotiations will be closely watched, raising questions about its influence in the volatile landscape of Middle Eastern politics.