A delegation of Hamas leaders visited Russia on Sept. 18. The delegation was headed by the deputy head of Hamas' political bureau, Mousa Abu Marzouk, and included Hamas political bureau members Saleh al-Arouri, Hossam Badran, Sami Khater and Mohammad Sawalha. They met with Mikhail Bogdanov, Russia's deputy foreign minister and special presidential representative for the Middle East, as well as other officials at the Russian Foreign Ministry.

Badran told Al-Monitor, “The visit is an important milestone in Hamas' foreign ties, because Russia is a great power, at a time when the United States wants Hamas to be labeled as a terrorist group and be isolated. The meeting with Bogdanov at the ministry’s headquarters focused on the [Hamas-Palestinian Authority] reconciliation and Russia’s support for Hamas' positive stances. We met also with Russian politicians who are close to the decision-making circles; there is no need to reveal who they are.”

He added, “During the visit the Hamas leadership held a press conference [Sept. 19] attended by 60 media outlets, answering reporters’ questions, which focused on the reconciliation process and Israeli practices against Palestinians in the West Bank. For instance, they asked about the settlements, confiscation of land, spread of checkpoints, arrests, Judaization of Jerusalem, the situation of Palestinian prisoners and the inhumane siege imposed on the Gaza Strip. We have also asked Russia to provide our people in Gaza with humanitarian assistance.”

A Sept. 19 press release by Russia’s Foreign Ministry said Bogdanov met with a Hamas delegation. Bogdanov had said Sept. 18 that Russia does not consider Hamas to be a terrorist organization, given that it is part of the Palestinian community, government and the Palestinian Legislative Council. Also, Bogdanov welcomed the Hamas decision Sept. 17 to dissolve the administrative committee, considering it to be an important step on the reconciliation path.