Maria Zakharova, the spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, stated that the US supplying weapons to Ukraine contradicts efforts for peace and the resolution of the issue through political and diplomatic means. Zakharova evaluated the current agenda in a press conference held in the capital Moscow. Answering a question about whether Israel, by violating the ceasefire and launching attacks on Gaza resulting in hundreds of casualties, can restart negotiations with Hamas, Zakharova emphasized the need for the enforcement of the ceasefire and prisoner swap agreements reached between Israel and Hamas in January. Zakharova expressed confidence that the situation in Palestinian territories will only improve through the implementation of the ceasefire and prisoner swap agreements made between Israel and Hamas on January 15, brokered by Egypt, Qatar, and the US. She highlighted that returning to these agreements will create the necessary conditions for the ceasefire, providing humanitarian aid to Gazans, and initiating the process of Gaza’s reconstruction.

Zakharova expressed hope that countries mediating the conflict will take additional steps to bring Israelis and Palestinians to the negotiation table and reiterated their commitment to engaging with all relevant parties to bring stability to Palestine and the Middle East. Addressing the US supplying weapons to Ukraine, she mentioned that it contradicts efforts for peace and the political and diplomatic resolution of the issue. She added that those seeking peace would naturally oppose arming terrorist organizations. Regarding allegations that the US plans to deploy military equipment vehicles from bases in Germany to Armenia, Zakharova stated that they have approached the Armenian side and informed that their Armenian colleagues have not received any official requests from Washington on this matter.

She warned that if the allegations are confirmed, it could disrupt the stability and security situation in the South Caucasus and highlighted the need for resolving issues in the region among neighboring countries. Zakharova also urged parties involved in the attacks on Yemen to refrain from using force and emphasized that the situation in Yemen and its surroundings can only be improved through political and diplomatic methods. Lastly, Zakharova recalled that the Ukrainian army launched a drone attack on an energy infrastructure facility in Russia’s Krasnodar region following a phone call between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on resolving the Ukrainian crisis. She noted that Trump’s proposal for both sides to abstain from attacks on energy infrastructure facilities for 30 days was positively responded to by Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky, accusing the Kiev administration of instigating provocative actions to obstruct peaceful initiatives led by the US.