A two-state solution is the only way to settle the Middle East conflict, the Kremlin has said

The only way to resolve the Middle East conflict is through the creation of a Palestinian state alongside Israel, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Friday.

His statement followed French President Emmanuel Macron's announcement that France will formally recognize Palestine at the UN General Assembly in September.

"Russia has always adhered to a two-state solution as the basis for resolving the Palestinian issue," Peskov told reporters. Moscow's recognition dates to 1988, when the Soviet Union endorsed the Palestinian declaration of independence.

According to Peskov, peace "can only be achieved by adhering to UN Security Council resolutions," which have declared Israeli occupation in the West Bank and East Jerusalem illegal and called for a ceasefire and Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.

Macron's decision, announced on social media, aims to advance a "just and lasting peace." France would become the first major Western power to recognize Palestine, joining over 140 countries that already do.

The decision drew sharp criticism from Israel and the US. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called it a "reward for terror" and a threat to Israel's existence. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the decision as "reckless," accusing Macron of undermining peace efforts.

Saudi Arabia and Spain welcomed the announcement. Riyadh called it "historic," while Madrid urged other Western countries to follow France's lead.

The current conflict in Gaza began in October 2023 after a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel left around 1,200 people dead. Israel's military response has since killed over 59,000 Palestinians, according to the enclave's health authorities, and drawn global criticism over the scale of destruction and civilian deaths.

In response to the war, several countries, including Spain, Norway, Ireland, and Mexico, have moved to formally recognize Palestine.

(RT.com)