European officials and experts warn: Russia could exploit Israel conflict

Several European officials have expressed concerns that Russia might exploit the attack involving the Hamas strike on Israel for its own purposes.

There is also increasing worry that Russia could move closer to Iran, which is currently already allied with the militant Palestinian group. This was reported by the Münchner Merkur. Iran is also a close ally of Moscow and has supplied thousands of kamikaze drones for the Russian invasion in Ukraine. “The Russians would be interested in fragmenting the West and creating additional problems,” said former Latvian Defense Minister Artis Pabriks, as quoted by the Münchner Merkur. “Everything has to be done simultaneously. The Russians are hoping someone will say it’s too difficult.”

Close Relationship between Moscow and Tel Aviv

So far, Russia has not condemned Hamas’ attack on Israel. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Russian President Vladimir Putin have actually built a close relationship over the years. “However, as Russia continues to be backed into a corner in Ukraine, Iran will be able to demand more,” such as air defense systems for itself or its allies, modern fighter jets, or even assistance in closing gaps in its nuclear program. “This will have direct implications for the security of Israel and the region,” said Jonathan Lord, Senior Fellow and Director of the Middle East Security Program at the Center for a New American Security, a Washington-based think tank.

Image: Kremlin.ru, Vladimir Putin at the site Donguzsky (2015-09-19) 10.jpg, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (image size changed)