Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov Calls for Palestinian State Following Trump's Gaza Plan

Russia Reaffirms Commitment to Palestinian Statehood

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on October 13, 2025, underscored the necessity of establishing an independent Palestinian state, stressing that a lasting resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict must align with United Nations resolutions. Speaking to Arab journalists in Moscow, Lavrov's comments followed the recent unveiling of US President Donald Trump's Gaza peace plan.

Lavrov acknowledged Trump's initiative as 'the best option on the table' for Gaza, but cautioned that it was not a comprehensive solution to the broader Palestinian issue. He noted that Trump's plan primarily addressed the Gaza Strip and was 'not specific enough on Palestinian statehood,' mentioning it only in 'rather general terms.' The Russian Foreign Minister emphasized the critical need to 'flesh out these approaches, including defining what will happen in the West Bank.'

Adherence to UN Resolutions as Foundation for Peace

The core of Russia's position, as articulated by Lavrov, rests on the consistent implementation of UN resolutions. He highlighted that a long-term resolution is only achievable if these resolutions, which stipulate the creation of a Palestinian state, are fully enacted. Russia has consistently advocated for an independent and viable Palestinian state within the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, capable of coexisting peacefully and securely with Israel.

Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council, Dmitry Medvedev, echoed this sentiment, stating that while the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners is a positive step, it 'won't solve anything' unless a full-fledged Palestinian state is established in accordance with UN resolutions. Lavrov further asserted that the failure to resolve the issue of a Palestinian state is the 'most significant factor fueling the preservation and strengthening of extremism in the Arab world.' The two-state formula, Russia noted, was laid down in UNGA Resolution 181 of 1947.

Context of Trump's Gaza Plan

US President Donald Trump unveiled his Gaza peace plan on September 29, 2025. This initiative, distinct from his earlier 2020 'Peace to Prosperity' plan, focused specifically on the Gaza Strip. Key elements of the 2025 plan reportedly include the rehabilitation of infrastructure, the destruction of military and terror infrastructure, and the establishment of an international stabilization force to train Palestinian police. It also outlined a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, involving the release of captives and a gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.

While Russia expressed hope that agreements reached under Trump's plan would be implemented, it maintained that the plan's limited scope on statehood and its focus solely on Gaza rendered it incomplete. Russia has consistently condemned the October 7, 2023, terrorist attack against Israel but has also stated it cannot accept the collective punishment of Palestinians.

Conclusion

Russia's call for a Palestinian state, rooted in international law and UN resolutions, underscores its long-standing diplomatic stance on the Middle East conflict. The Russian Federation continues to emphasize that any lasting peace requires a comprehensive solution that addresses the aspirations of the Palestinian people for self-determination and statehood, extending beyond immediate ceasefire agreements or plans focused solely on the Gaza Strip.