Putin thanks Hamas for releasing Russian-Israeli citizen

Putin pledges help to free more hostages after meeting Russian-Israeli man released by Hamas.

In this pool photo released by Russian state agency Sputnik, Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with Alexander Trufanov, a Russian-Israeli hostage freed from Gaza in a prisoner exchange with Israel, at the Kremlin in Moscow on April 16, 2025. Photo by Sofia Sandurskaya/AFP

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Russian President Vladimir Putin has publicly pledged to help secure the release of more hostages still held in Gaza after meeting a Russian-Israeli man who was recently freed by the Palestinian militant group Hamas. The meeting, held late Wednesday, was shown on Russian television and presented a rare glimpse into Putin’s direct involvement in humanitarian negotiations amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Putin pledges help to free more hostages, underscoring what he described as the success of Russia’s long-standing diplomatic ties with the Palestinian people. This statement came during a heartfelt conversation with 29-year-old Alexander Trufanov, who had been held hostage in Gaza for nearly 500 days before being released in February 2025.

A personal encounter steeped in emotion

Trufanov, also known as Sasha Trupanov in Israel, was visibly emotional as he spoke to Putin. During their meeting, he recounted his 498-day ordeal in captivity and asked the Russian president to continue his efforts to free other hostages still believed to be in Gaza. His father, Vitali Trupanov, was killed in the Hamas-led October 7, 2023, attack, while his mother Yelena, grandmother, and partner were all released during the initial ceasefire in November 2023.

“For me, when they are there, it’s as if half my heart is still there in Gaza. It will be very hard for me to return to my ordinary life while they are there,” Trufanov told Putin during the televised meeting.

Putin, in turn, praised Trufanov’s strength and resilience, offering words of comfort and support.

“Thank God you are alive and well and you are here,” Putin said, adding, “We will be working on this, definitely.”

A calculated message of diplomacy

Throughout the meeting, Putin emphasized that the successful release of Trufanov was made possible due to Russia’s “stable, many-year relations” with the Palestinian people. He also extended a public thank you to Hamas for what he called a “humanitarian act.”

“I think it’s necessary to express words of gratitude to the leadership, to the political wing of Hamas that they acted on our request and committed this action, a humanitarian act, and released you,” Putin said.

The Kremlin leader’s remarks appeared carefully worded, aimed at maintaining a balance between acknowledging Hamas’s cooperation and upholding Russia’s foreign policy interests in the Middle East. Russia has long sought to position itself as a neutral player in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, cultivating diplomatic ties with both sides.

The release and what it signals

Trufanov’s release on February 15 came just days after Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov urged Hamas leaders to fulfill previous commitments to free Russian nationals. The timing and circumstances suggest Moscow exerted diplomatic pressure behind the scenes to make the release happen, bolstering its image as a humanitarian broker.

Trufanov’s case was one of several involving dual Russian-Israeli citizens caught up in the October 7 attack. In addition to Trufanov, Russia has also advocated for the release of Maxim Herkin, a 35-year-old who was abducted during a music festival in southern Israel. Herkin was seen alive in a video released by Hamas in early April, but his status remains uncertain.

“Mr. Putin, I really ask you to continue what you did for me and before, so that they can also be free and happy like I am now,” Trufanov said, urging continued Russian engagement in hostage diplomacy.

A family marked by tragedy and survival

The Trufanov family, who immigrated from Russia to Israel in the late 1990s, has become a symbol of the human cost of the ongoing conflict. With their surname rendered as “Trupanov” in Hebrew and “Trufanov” in Russian, the family’s story resonates in both nations.

Vitali Trupanov’s death during the October 7 attack highlights the brutal nature of that day’s events, which left hundreds dead and sparked the latest round of war between Israel and Hamas. The survival of the rest of the family—through captivity and eventual release—has been seen as a rare moment of hope amid ongoing suffering.

Trufanov’s meeting with Putin was not just about personal gratitude. It served as a plea for action and a broader message of solidarity with those still enduring captivity.

Russia’s role in facilitating Trufanov’s release aligns with its strategy of engaging non-Western actors and mediating where Western powers often cannot. The Kremlin’s outreach to Hamas is a continuation of its historical policy of maintaining dialogue with various factions across the Middle East, including those deemed off-limits by other major powers.

This approach gives Moscow a unique advantage when dealing with complex hostage situations. By maintaining channels of communication with Hamas’s political leadership, Russia can position itself as a reliable negotiator, even in times of deep geopolitical tension.

Putin’s statement thanking Hamas was significant. While most Western nations consider Hamas a terrorist organization, Russia does not classify the group in that manner. This distinction allows for a level of diplomatic maneuverability not available to other governments, particularly in the West.

Humanitarian diplomacy or political maneuver?

As Putin pledges help to free more hostages, observers are divided on whether this marks a genuine humanitarian initiative or a calculated diplomatic move to expand Russia’s influence in the Middle East. Either way, the meeting with Trufanov sends a clear signal: Russia intends to be seen as a capable and active mediator, able to deliver results where others may falter.

While the U.S. and its allies maintain pressure on Hamas through sanctions and military support to Israel, Russia’s approach leans on dialogue and long-term relationship-building. This allows it to serve as a bridge in some of the region’s most sensitive disputes.

But the question remains: will Russia be able to replicate its success with Trufanov and help bring home the remaining hostages, including Maxim Herkin?

For now, the Kremlin’s public commitment, along with Putin’s personal involvement, suggests it is preparing to invest further diplomatic capital in this effort.

In an emotional and highly symbolic meeting, Vladimir Putin assured Alexander Trufanov—and by extension, many families of hostages still in Gaza—that Russia will continue pushing for their freedom. The moment was more than just a reunion. It was a message of intent from the Kremlin: Putin pledges help to free more hostages, using every diplomatic lever available.

Whether these efforts lead to additional breakthroughs remains uncertain, but Trufanov’s release has already become a powerful case study in how strategic diplomacy, personal appeals, and international politics intersect on the most human of issues: bringing loved ones home.