(Reuters): Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin on Wednesday met Russian nationals freed from captivity in the Gaza strip after Hamas' October 2023 attacks on Israel and said Moscow's longstanding ties with Palestinians helped secure their freedom.
"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 organisations," Russian news agencies quoted Putin as telling former hostage Alexander Trufanov and members of his family.
