UPDATE 2 - Russia welcomes Trump’s efforts to end Israel-Palestine conflict

UPDATES WITH REMARKS FROM RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER; ADDS DECK

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) - The Kremlin on Tuesday said Russia welcomes Donald Trump’s efforts to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, a day after the US president announced a new plan to end the nearly two-year war in the Gaza Strip.

“Russia always supports and welcomes any efforts by Trump that aim to prevent the tragedy that is currently unfolding (in Gaza),” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told a press briefing, in response to a question on Trump’s Gaza plan.

“We hope this plan will be implemented, so that it will help bring events in the Middle East to a peaceful course,” Peskov said, adding that Russia maintains contacts with all parties to the conflict and is ready to facilitate a peaceful settlement if necessary.

He denied Russia’s participation in the plan itself, saying Moscow has not received any signals from Washington in this regard.

On Monday, Trump outlined key points of his Gaza ceasefire plan at a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington, DC.

The 20-point plan includes the release of all Israeli hostages in exchange for a number of Palestinian prisoners, the disarmament of the Palestinian group Hamas, and the formation of a technocratic, apolitical Palestinian committee to temporarily govern the enclave, among other provisions.

- 'Drone wall'

Peskov also commented on the launch of developing a so-called "drone wall" along the EU's eastern flank to protect European skies from incursions, saying: "Building walls is always a bad thing, as history shows."

"And it's quite sad that Ukraine's militaristic, confrontational policy could now potentially materialize in the construction of new dividing walls," Peskov said, accusing Europe of pursuing a "militaristic attitude" toward Moscow.

He, however, continued to argue that European countries have mixed opinions in this regard, and that Russia continues to monitor the issue.

The spokesman also reacted to Ukrainian statements on long-range strikes against Russia, defining the statement as "nothing new."

"We hear plenty of such bravado. But the situation on the front lines is completely different: there's no bravado on the part of the Kyiv regime," he added.

On Sunday, US Vice President JD Vance announced Washington is considering a request by Ukraine for long-range Tomahawk missiles and that Trump would be making "the final determination" on the issue.

The idea was downplayed by Peskov, who said Monday that there is "no panacea that can change the situation on the front for the Kyiv regime."

Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told the US-based Axios news website last week that Kyiv will use additional long-range weaponry from Washington to strike Russia if it receives them, naming centers of power in the country, such as the Kremlin, as potential targets.

The Kremlin spokesman reacted to Zelenskyy's threat the same day, claiming the Ukrainian president is "trying to demonstrate" to the Europeans that he is a "brave warrior."

- 'Final decision'

Simultaneously with Peskov's remarks, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov spoke to reporters on the sidelines of the 22nd annual meeting of the Valdai Discussion Club in the resort city of Sochi, saying, he has not seen the details of Trump's Gaza plan.

Expressing that he only saw comments on what the plan comprises, Lavrov said he is aware that some regional countries have already welcomed the proposal.

"But, of course, a final decision will only be necessary once we hear the opinions of all of Palestine and Israel's neighbors, as well as the countries of the region in general, the Arab League, the Gulf Cooperation Council, and, most importantly, the Palestinians themselves," Lavrov expressed.

He said Russia has not received an invitation to join the temporary "international stabilization force," which Trump's plan states the US will work with Arab and international partners to develop and immediately deploy in Gaza.

On the topic of potential Tomahawk missile deliveries to Ukraine, Lavrov said he believes the issue emerged primarily due to "European pressure on Washington," but does not think they are dealing with a "final decision."

"The Americans don't supply Tomahawks to everyone. Among Europeans, if I'm not mistaken, they supply them to Spain and the Netherlands. They are somewhat wary of the rest. And if they believe Ukraine is a responsible country that will use them responsibly, that would be surprising to me," he added.

Lavrov recalled Peskov's argument that the front-line situation in Ukraine will not change even if Tomahawk missiles are eventually provided to Kyiv.