By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
MOSCOW/BUDAPEST (Worthy News) – Russian President Vladimir Putin says Moscow backs the creation of a full-fledged Palestinian state, and he has publicly embraced visiting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
In comments that were likely to upset Israel, Putin stressed that the plight of Palestinians pained Russia.
Putin clarified that Moscow closely followed events in the Middle East despite the war-torn Ukraine vying for attention.
He did not refer directly to Ukraine’s week-old incursion into western Russia, an operation that initially overwhelmed Russia’s military and forced more than 130,000 people to flee their homes so far.
“Everyone is well aware that Russia today, unfortunately, must defend its interests and defend its people with arms in hand. But what is happening in the Middle East, what is happening in Palestine, of course, does not go unnoticed on our part,” Putin said, according to a Kremlin transcript monitored by Worthy News.
Abbas told Russian President Vladimir Putin that he stood with Moscow “without the slightest doubt.” The comments came during his visit to Russia, where he met with Putin in Novo-Ogaryovo.
BILATERAL RELATIONS
Officials said the two leaders discussed bilateral relations, the situation in the Middle East, and Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza.
Abbas said the United Nations has not put down resolutions that act in favor of the Palestinian people due to U.S. pressure.
Putin stressed Russia’s position on the need for a peaceful settlement with Israel, including the creation of a Palestinian
state remained unchanged.
That was music to the ears of Abbas. “We are patient, steadfast in our land, and we demand a halt to the fighting, the provision of humanitarian aid to the Palestinians, and their non-displacement,” he told Putin.
He warned that he would “not allow and will not accept” the displacement of Palestinians from their homes.
Putin’s symbolic and physical embrace of Abbas and his ideas about a “free Palestine” added to pressure on Israel, which is engaged in fighting Hamas and preparing for a possible with Lebanon-based Hezbollah and Iran.
Russia, an ally of China, has a growing influence in the Middle East and maintains a robust military presence in Syria, another country of concern to Israel.
Copyright 1999-2024 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
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