Russia maneuvers carefully over the Israel-Hamas war as it seeks to expand its global clout

Russia has issued carefully calibrated criticism of both sides in the war between Israel and Hamas. While Moscow lacks leverage to mediate a settlement in the Middle East, it could try to play on some perceived credibility problems with the West's response to the crisis. It also expects the Israel-Hamas war to distract attention from the fighting in Ukraine and erode support for Kyiv.