UPDATE - Putin says conflict in Ukraine 'nothing like' that in Gaza

CHANGES HEADLINE, DECK, ADDS MORE DETAILS, EDITS THROUGHOUT

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) - Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that the conflict in Ukraine was "nothing like" what is taking place in the Gaza Strip, pummeled by over two months of Israeli attacks.

"We were just talking about the situation ... related to the Ukrainian crisis. But you, and everyone present here, and all over the world see. Look at the 'special military operation' (in Ukraine) and what is happening in Gaza and feel the difference. There is nothing like this in Ukraine," Putin told Anadolu during an annual televised press conference in Moscow.

Putin said events in the Gaza Strip, where Israel has killed more than 18,000 Palestinians, amount to a "disaster," pointing to comments by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who said the enclave had become "the largest cemetery for children in the world."

"This is an objective assessment, what can I say here," he added.

Putin said his Turkish counterpart, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, is playing a leading role in resolving the situation in the besieged enclave.

"He is, of course, one of the leaders of the international community who pays attention to this tragedy and does everything to ensure that the situation is changed for the better in order to create conditions for long-term peace," he said.

Türkiye and Russia "proceed from the fact that the UN decisions regarding the creation of a Palestinian state with its capital in East Jerusalem must still be implemented," he said, adding that it is necessary to create fundamental foundations for a settlement to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Putin said he plans to meet Erdogan at the beginning of next year, sharing that previous plans did not work out due to his Turkish counterpart's schedule.

"We are already in constant contact with President Erdogan on these issues. We have very similar positions. I think that we will be able to meet with him," he said.