Russian President Vladimir Putin accused the United States on Wednesday of avoiding a balanced process to settle the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and trying to take control of the situation without addressing the fundamental issues. He described the violence in Israel as horrific and stated that the conflict cannot be resolved "without addressing issues like the establishment of a Palestinian state."
Putin expressed confusion over the United States' decision to send an aircraft carrier to the Middle East and then announced the dispatch of another one, questioning whether they intended to bomb Lebanon or simply aimed to intimidate someone. He noted that some people are no longer afraid of anything and stressed that the issue should not be resolved in this manner but rather through seeking compromises.
On another note, the Russian president confirmed that coordination among the "OPEC+" group, which includes major oil producers, will continue to ensure predictability in oil markets. He added at a major energy conference in Moscow, "Interaction is essential among key suppliers under open and transparent conditions for the stability of the oil market. From this standpoint, Russia is working with partners within OPEC+."
Putin, who leads the world’s second-largest oil-exporting country, indicated that OPEC+ members "will fully meet their commitments and successfully manage all challenges." He praised what he described as the significant role of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in the market. Putin stated that "Moscow will continue to cooperate with Riyadh, noting that prices could have fallen below $50 a barrel if it weren't for the coordinated production cuts."
