Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday underscored the UN's ability to take a clear stance on the conflict in the Middle East, stating that there was "nothing unusual" in the global institution's approach, considering its decisions are based on consensus.
"As for the UN's role, there is nothing unusual here … The UN was conceived to seek consensus and, if none is found, then no decision is made. It has always been this way, especially since the Cold War," Putin said in a televised year-end press conference in Moscow.
His comments appeared to have been directed at the lack of cohesion over the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, where Western powers like the US, UK, and France seem to be siding with Israel while Russia and China have taken a much more neutral stance, repeatedly calling for the cessation of hostilities there to save civilian lives.
Since Israel launched its military operation in the highly-congested Palestinian territory, over 18,000 people have died there, with at least 60 percent of them being children and women.
Yet a resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire fell flat as the US and its allies voted against it in the UN General Assembly on Tuesday.
With people in Gaza struggling to find medical care in the wake of Israel Defence Forces' targeting of hospitals, Putin revealed that Russia had proposed to set up a field hospital in the densely-populated coastal enclave.
However, Israel rejected the offer, the Russian President noted.
Since Israel launched its military operation in the highly-congested Palestinian territory, over 18,000 people have died there, with at least 60 percent of them being children and women.
Yet a resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire fell flat as the US and its allies voted against it in the UN General Assembly on Tuesday.
With people in Gaza struggling to find medical care in the wake of Israel Defence Forces' targeting of hospitals, Putin revealed that Russia had proposed to set up a field hospital in the densely-populated coastal enclave.
However, Israel rejected the offer, the Russian President noted.