Russia's Putin to talk Middle East crisis with Palestinian President Abbas, Kremlin says

Abbas is in Moscow on a long-expected visit until Wednesday and is to travel to Turkey for talks with President Tayyip Erdogan afterwards.

 Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas gestures, as he attends a swearing-in ceremony for the newly formed cabinet, in Ramallah, in the West Bank, March 31, 2024. (photo credit: REUTERS/Mohammed Torokman)
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas gestures, as he attends a swearing-in ceremony for the newly formed cabinet, in Ramallah, in the West Bank, March 31, 2024.
(photo credit: REUTERS/Mohammed Torokman)

Russia's President Vladimir Putin will discuss the situation in the Middle East with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Moscow on Tuesday, the Kremlin said late on Monday.

"It is expected that an exchange of views will be held on the situation in the Middle East in light of the current aggravation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and the unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza Strip," the Kremlin said in a post on the Telegram messaging app.

Abbas is in Moscow on a long-expected visit until Wednesday and is to travel to Turkey for talks with President Tayyip Erdogan afterwards.

Russia's diplomatic ties

Russia, which has forged close ties both with Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Arab leaders including Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has condemned the recent killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, calling on all parties to refrain from further destabilization of the Middle East.

 Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting with Murmansk Region Governor Andrei Chibis at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia August 6, 2024. (credit: SPUTNIK/GAVRIIL GRIGOROV/POOL VIA REUTERS)
Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting with Murmansk Region Governor Andrei Chibis at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia August 6, 2024. (credit: SPUTNIK/GAVRIIL GRIGOROV/POOL VIA REUTERS)

It has also repeatedly scolded the West for ignoring the need for an independent Palestinian state within 1967 borders.