UPDATE - Putin calls strike on hospital in Gaza 'terrible event, catastrophe'

ADDS MORE REMARKS BY PUTIN

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday called the attack on the Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in central Gaza that killed hundreds of people a "terrible event, a catastrophe."

"As for the attack on the hospital, the tragedy that occurred there, it is a terrible event, hundreds of dead, hundreds of wounded. This is, of course, a catastrophe," Putin told a news conference in Beijing, where he is attending the third Belt and Road forum.

The Russian leader said he expects that the event will be a signal to end this conflict as soon as possible and to start "some contacts and negotiations."

Commenting on phone talks with leaders of Egypt, Israel, Iran, Palestine, and Syria that he held before his trip to China, Putin said he has an impression that no one wants to escalate and aggravate the situation.

"In my opinion, the principal actors, some by definition are unwilling, some are afraid of something, but there is practically no readiness to develop the conflict, turn it into a large-scale war," he said.

Commenting on internal differences between the Palestinians, Putin urged to increase the level of understanding between the sides for unity.

"The reaction of the (Palestinian) President (Mahmoud) Abbas shows that he is not hostile to the Gaza Strip and to those who guide the situation there. As for the establishment of the Palestinian state, our position is principled ... we have always been in favor of the establishment of an independent, sovereign Palestinian state with the capital in East Jerusalem," he stressed.

More than 500 people were killed in the Israeli airstrike on Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital on Tuesday, according to Palestinian officials. Israel, however, has denied responsibility for the air raid.

Gaza is already experiencing a dire humanitarian crisis with no electricity, while water, food, fuel, and medical supplies are running out.

The conflict in the enclave, reeling from incessant Israeli bombing and blockade, began on Oct. 7 when Palestinian group Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, a multi-pronged surprise attack that included a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel by land, sea, and air. It said the incursion was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and growing violence by Israeli settlers.

The Israeli military then launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip.

At least 3,300 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks, while the figure stands at more than 1,400 people in Israel.

- Putin calls deliveries of long-range missiles to Ukraine 'another US mistake'

Asked about the deliveries of the US ATACMS long-range missiles to Ukraine, Putin acknowledged it "causes harm and creates additional threats."

"We will be able to repel these attacks, of course. ... This is another mistake on the part of the US. ... There is nothing good in this for Ukraine either, it just prolongs the agony," he emphasized.

Putin argued that Kyiv has had no success in its counteroffensive, while the US is becoming more and more involved in the Ukrainian conflict.

The Russian leader said he told Hungarian Prime Minister Victor Orban at Monday's meeting that if Ukraine wants peace talks with Russia, its authorities have to revoke the decree prohibiting dialogue.

Putin declined insinuations on Orban's "pro-Russian position," emphasizing that he is "pro-Hungarian."

"Orban is often accused of having pro-Russian sentiments. This is nonsense. He is not a pro-Russian politician, he is a pro-Hungarian politician. He is being attacked mainly because ... he has the courage to defend the interests of his people. Many of today's European politicians do not have that courage. They envy him and because of that -- attack him," he said.

Responding to US President Joe Biden, who said Russia "lost the war," Putin asked why Washington continued arms deliveries and urged to take all weapons back.

- Russia starts patrols with hypersonic missiles over Black Sea

Putin said on his orders the Russian Aerospace Forces started patrols over the neutral waters of the Black Sea due to the deployment of US aircraft carriers in the Mediterranean Sea.

The Russian Aerospace Forces had initiated continuous patrols within the neutral airspace over the Black Sea, he said, adding that they use the MiG-31 aircraft armed with Dagger complexes, known for their impressive range of over 1,000 km and Mac 9 speed.

"I warned that this is not a threat, but we will carry out visual control, control with weapons over what is happening in the Mediterranean Sea," he said.

- Russian-Chinese cooperation

Putin said the focus of the meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping was on economics, finance, political interaction, joint work on international platforms, and the current situation in the Middle East and Ukraine.

Asked how external factors affect Russian-Chinese relations, Putin said: "All these external factors are common threats, and they strengthen Russian-Chinese cooperation. As for the prospects, I am optimistic about it."