Russian President Vladimir Putin met with freed Russian hostage Alexander Trufanov and his family at the Kremlin on April 17. Trufanov was released in February after nearly 500 days in Hamas captivity in Gaza. Putin said Russia’s long-standing ties with Palestinians helped secure the release.

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• Putin met freed Gaza hostage Trufanov, his mother, and fiancée in Moscow
• Trufanov held by Hamas since October 7, 2023, released in February 2025
• Putin credited Russia’s relations with Palestinians for the successful release
• Thanked Hamas political wing for humanitarian gesture
• Trufanov’s father was killed in the October 2023 attacks
• Trufanov’s mother, fiancée, and grandmother also freed earlier
• Russia says it made every effort to ensure their release
• Putin gave flowers to Trufanov’s family at the Kremlin
• Russia’s chief rabbi and Jewish leaders attended the meeting
• Russia backs two-state solution; maintains ties with both Israel and Palestinians