Kremlin regrets end of humanitarian pause in Gaza Strip

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) – Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Friday expressed regret over the end of the humanitarian pause in the Gaza Strip, saying Russia would prefer to hear about its extension as well as the continuation of the hostage swap deal between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas.

During a news conference in Moscow, Peskov emphasized the need for extending the humanitarian pause to address the humanitarian catastrophe and facilitate hostages swap.

"Of course, we would prefer to hear about the next extension of this humanitarian pause. This would be more appropriate, given the scale of the humanitarian catastrophe that is currently being experienced in Gaza, and given the incomplete process of releasing hostages," he said.

Concerning statements by US officials threatening to continue efforts aimed at reducing Russia's income from oil and gas sales, Peskov brushed aside such rhetoric, saying Moscow has never doubted that sanctions will be imposed "for years to come," and bases its policy on this position.

"We also have no doubt that the US will continue to try to put pressure on Russia, including putting pressure on the entire system of international trade and economic relations, in fact, destroying the existing format of these relations, because these are nothing more than illegal attempts to put pressure on the Russian economy. And we also understand this and proceed from this, building our line," he said.

While the US is the largest economy, it is not the only player, the Kremlin spokesman said, adding that the global economy extends beyond the US and includes fast-growing economies such as China, each with its unique energy needs.

"The American-centric world is coming to an end, and a period of diversity is coming, including in international economic relations," he said.