Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to meet with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who arrived in Moscow on an official visit on August 12. The Kremlin press service announced that the discussions will focus on both bilateral cooperation and the current situation in the Middle East, particularly in light of the escalating Palestinian-Israeli conflict and the severe humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.
The visit, initially scheduled for November 15, 2023, was rescheduled at the request of the Palestinian side. The meeting comes amid ongoing Israeli operations in Gaza and recent developments, including the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, the head of the Hamas politburo, in Tehran.
Before his talks with Putin, Abbas will lay flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Moscow. He is also expected to meet with Arab ambassadors during his visit, which will conclude on August 14. The primary focus of the discussions will be the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and potential roles Russia might play in addressing the situation. Palestinian Ambassador to Russia, Abdel Hafiz Nofal, emphasized the need for consultations given the challenging circumstances in Palestine.
The previous meeting between Putin and Abbas took place in October 2022 in Astana, where they discussed the Palestinian-Israeli settlement. Putin reiterated that Russia's position on this issue aligns with UN decisions and remains unchanged.
In an interview with TASS prior to his visit, Abbas highlighted Palestine's readiness for an international peace conference, advocating for a strategic solution that includes Palestinian freedom, independence, and self-determination. He emphasized that resolving the conflict through international law and a two-state solution, with Israel withdrawing from the territories occupied in 1967, is crucial for stability and security in the Middle East.
The situation in the Middle East has recently been further strained by the assassinations of Haniyeh and Fuad Shukr, a Hezbollah commander, in Beirut. Iran, Hamas, and Hezbollah have blamed Israel for these incidents and vowed retaliation. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov suggested that these events might influence ongoing negotiations between Hamas and Israel regarding hostages in Gaza.
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Photo: official website of the President of the Russian Federation
Based on materials from TASS