Russia’s Putin Warns Conflict in Israel and Gaza Could Spread Beyond Middle East

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has warned that the conflict in Israel and Gaza could spiral beyond the Middle East, warning of “extremely dangerous and destructive consequences” as he criticized the West and called for an end to the violence.

Even as he persists with his invasion of Ukraine, Putin said Israel’s attacks on Gaza, which followed the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel’s territory, risked a broader escalation.

“Our task today, our main task, is to stop the bloodshed and violence,” Putin said at a Kremlin meeting with Russian religious leaders Wednesday, according to the Reuters news agency.

“Further escalation of the crisis is fraught with grave and extremely dangerous and destructive consequences. And not only for the Middle East region. It could spill over far beyond the borders of the Middle East,” he added.

The Russian leader also pointed an accusatory finger at the West, saying that certain unnamed forces were seeking to trigger an escalation, aiming to “launch a real wave of chaos and mutual hatred not only in the Middle East but also far beyond its borders.”

“For this purpose, among other things, they are trying to play on the national and religious feelings of millions of people,” Putin said.