Lavrov says Trump’s Gaza plan remains ‘ink on paper,’ calls for Palestinian statehood

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Sunday that US President Donald Trump’s plan for the Gaza Strip remains “ink on paper,” arguing that the principles outlined in the initiative have not been respected.

Lavrov made the remarks during the ninth ministerial meeting of the strategic dialogue between Russia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), held in Bahrain’s capital, Manama.

According to remarks reported by Sputnik Arabic, Lavrov criticized the lack of progress in implementing the US-backed initiative and said the prospect of a political settlement leading to an independent Palestinian state remained distant.

The Russian foreign minister also praised regional mediation efforts aimed at preventing further escalation, emphasizing the need for solutions that address the underlying causes of regional conflicts.

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The GCC-Russia meeting brought together foreign ministers from Gulf member states and Russia to discuss regional developments and opportunities to strengthen cooperation.

Lavrov’s remarks come amid continuing disputes over the implementation of the Gaza ceasefire agreement reached on October 10, 2025, through Arab and US mediation in the Egyptian city of Sharm el-Sheikh.

Palestinian sources have accused Israel of repeatedly violating the ceasefire and failing to comply with its provisions, despite diplomatic efforts to consolidate the agreement.

On July 31, 2026, Trump announced an agreement on a roadmap outlining stages for implementing the ceasefire and ending the war in Gaza.

Palestinian factions expressed support for the roadmap, while Palestinian sources have accused Israel of rejecting its provisions and continuing actions that violate the agreement.

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