During an extraordinary BRICS summit convened to discuss the situation in the Middle East, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that the US was monopolizing efforts for a potential truce between Hamas and Israel.
Putin added that the loss of thousands of lives, a large-scale exodus of locals, and an unfolding humanitarian crisis in Gaza was a "cause of concern."
"The death of thousands of people [in the Gaza Strip], mass displacements of civilian population, and the humanitarian catastrophe that has broken out cause great concern," Putin said in his address to representatives of BRICS member states.
"The current situation in the area demonstrates that the United States is trying to monopolize mediation efforts for a peace settlement in the region," he elaborated.
Subsequently, the Russian leader praised South Africa (the current BRICS chair) and the remaining constituents of BRICS for convening an urgent meeting of the group on a pressing issue like the Israel-Hamas war.
"The new format of emergency online meetings of leaders, proposed by President [of South Africa Cyril] Ramaphosa seems very promising. Moreover, this concerns not only the Middle East settlement but also other topical issues on the global and regional agenda," Putin concluded.