April 17, 2025 | 01:43 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - On Wednesday evening, Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Russian nationals who had been freed from Gaza following the Hamas-led attack on Israel in October 2023.
According to reports from Al Arabiya and Anadolu on Thursday, April 17, 2025, Putin credited Moscow’s enduring relationship with Palestine as instrumental in securing the release of Alexander Trufanov.
“The fact that you are now free is a result of Russia’s many years of stable relations with the Palestinian people, with the representatives of different organizations,” Putin told Alexander Trufanov and his family members.
“Here we have to offer a word of gratitude to the leadership and to the political wing of Hamas for a gesture made to us in carrying out this humanitarian act,” the news office said in a meeting at the Kremlin on Wednesday late evening.
Putin stated that Russia “had truly done everything possible” to secure Trufanov’s release and affirmed the country’s commitment to doing whatever it takes to free those who remain in captivity.
Trufanov was released after nearly 500 days of captivity in February as part of talks leading to a ceasefire. He thanked Putin for helping secure his release and hoped for the release of all remaining hostages, whom he considered "like brothers."
Putin also presented flowers to Trufanov's mother, Elena, and his fiancée, Sapir Cohen, who were also among around 250 hostages held by Hamas on October 7, 2023. They were released at the end of 2023, as was Trufanov's grandmother. Trufanov's father was killed in the attack.
The chief rabbi of Russia and the head of the Russian Jewish community federation also participated in the meeting.
Russia has sought to maintain good relations with both conflicting parties, but has said that a solution in the Middle East can only be achieved based on a two-state solution.
Since March 2, Israel has closed the Gaza crossing, blocking vital supplies from entering the besieged territory despite many reports of famine in the war-torn area.
Israeli forces resumed deadly attacks in Gaza on March 18, shattering the ceasefire and the prisoner exchange agreement that was in place in January.
More than 51,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed in Gaza in Israel's brutal attacks since October 2023.
Editor's Choice: Netanyahu Slams Macron's Recognition Plan for Palestine
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Indonesia's Social Affairs Ministry Says It Readies Temporary Shelter for Gaza Evacuees
1 jam lalu
It also mentioned that the implementation of the Gaza evacuation plan is still pending direct instructions from President Prabowo.
Maldives Restricts Entry of Israelis in Solidarity with Palestine
16 jam lalu
The Maldives announced a ban on the entry of Israeli citizens in a move of "firm solidarity" with Palestine.
Israel Offers 45-Day Ceasefire in Exchange for Partial Hostage Release
1 hari lalu
Hamas announced on Monday that Israel has proposed a 45-day ceasefire in exchange for the release of half of the hostages.
Hamas Ready to Release All Israeli Hostages Under Ceasefire Deal
2 hari lalu
A senior Hamas official expresses willingness to release all Israeli hostages in exchange for ending the war in Gaza
MUI Urges Thorough Study on Prabowo's Gaza Evacuation Plan
2 hari lalu
MUI Secretary General Amirsyah Tambunan stated that Prabowo's plan to evacuate Gaza residents had been mentioned during his tenure as the Minister of Defense.
NU Raises Concerns Over Prabowo's Gaza Evacuation Plan
2 hari lalu
Eko Arnanda, the Chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama's Special Branch in Australia and New Zealand, criticizes Prabowo's plan to evacuate Gazans.
Over 250 Former Israeli Mossad Agents Call for End to Gaza War
2 hari lalu
Netanyahu urged to end Gaza war by hundreds of former Mossad agents and Israeli Air Force personnel.
Netanyahu Slams Macron's Recognition Plan for Palestine
2 hari lalu
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has condemned French President Emmanuel Macron's plan to recognize Palestine.
Israeli Strikes Destroy Gaza's Last Functioning Hospital
3 hari lalu
Israel continues to attack hospitals in Gaza that are treating patients under the pretext that it is a Hamas stronghold.
Europe Sees Rise in Islamophobia, Anti-Muslim Hate Crimes Since October 2023
3 hari lalu
The hatred towards Islam or Islamophobia has been increasing in Europe since the Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023.
