Moscow questions the objectives of Trump's 'Peace Council' on Gaza

The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has expressed serious reservations and growing questions about the nature and objectives of the 'Peace Council' recently announced by US President Donald Trump to address the situation in the Gaza Strip. Kirill Logvinov, Head of the Department of International Organizations at the Russian Foreign Ministry, affirmed that ambiguity surrounds the true tasks of this council and its operational mechanisms on the ground, raising international community suspicion about its usefulness given the current circumstances.

The Russian official explained in statements reported by media sources that a state of uncertainty prevails even among the countries that officially agreed to join this new entity. He pointed out that a large number of international delegations preferred to be merely 'observers' within the council instead of full engagement, which reflects a lack of trust in the American direction behind this political initiative.

In a related context, Moscow strongly criticized the continued Israeli military activities in the Gaza Strip, noting that the occupation continues to significantly restrict humanitarian aid access despite the catastrophic deterioration of living conditions. The Russian Foreign Ministry considered these practices to be completely contradictory to any genuine peace efforts, especially given the unprecedented historical escalation of settlement activities in the occupied West Bank.

Logvinov also drew attention to the escalation of violence and extremism by settlers in the Palestinian territories, affirming that it has reached extraordinary levels under the protection of occupation forces. He added that the past religious holiday period witnessed flagrant violations of the existing legal and historical status in the holy sites in Jerusalem, where worshippers were prevented from accessing them and freely practicing their rituals.

Russian diplomacy warned of the expansion of the conflict in the region, citing United Nations reports that warn of the possibility of a repeat of the Gaza Strip tragedy in Lebanese territories. Sources indicated that tensions remain at their peak in southern Syria, specifically in the governorates of Sweida, Quneitra, and the occupied Golan, threatening a comprehensive regional explosion whose repercussions cannot be controlled.

It is worth noting that US President Donald Trump announced last January the establishment of the 'Peace Council' under his direct presidency, inviting several countries to participate in it. The council was supposed to monitor the implementation of ceasefire agreements in Gaza, with future plans to expand its powers to include other international issues, which Moscow sees as an attempt to marginalize the UN's role in conflict resolution.

The latest developments in the Middle East raise further questions about the true objectives and tasks of the Peace Council and its working methods.