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NOVO-OGAREVO, August 13. The talks between President Vladimir Putin and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas have ended at the Novo-Ogaryovo residence, the Kremlin's Telegram channel reported.
The meeting lasted about three hours.
In particular, the leaders discussed the situation in the Gaza Strip. Putin once again emphasized that Russia is calling for the creation of a full-fledged Palestinian state. According to him, only this will ensure a long-term, reliable and stable peace in the Middle East.
Abbas, for his part, noted that the UN, due to pressure from the United States, had failed its mission and had not adopted a resolution that would have ensured the rights of the Palestinian people. He also spoke out against the forced displacement of the population from Gaza.
The politician called Russia one of the most dear friends of the Palestinian people and expressed hope for further humanitarian support.
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The Russian side was represented by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, presidential aide Yuri Ushakov, Minister of Labor Anton Kotyakov, Chief of the Main Directorate of the General Staff Igor Kostyukov, and Russian representative to the Palestinian National Authority Gocha Buachidze.
The Palestinian delegation included Minister of Civil Affairs Hussein Al-Sheikh, head of the General Intelligence Service Majed Feredj, Ambassador to Moscow Abdelhafiz Nofal, and Adviser to the President of Palestine on Diplomatic Issues Majdi Khaldi.
Middle East conflictOn October 7, 2023, Israel was subjected to an unprecedented rocket attack from the Gaza Strip. After a massive shelling, Hamas fighters penetrated the border areas in the south of the Jewish state, where they opened fire on both the military and civilians. Then about 1.2 thousand people were killed, including 20 Russians, the Palestinian movement took more than 200 hostages.
In response, the IDF launched Operation Iron Swords in Gaza, Tel Aviv also announced a complete blockade of the enclave. According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, during this time, almost 40 thousand people have died, more than 90 thousand were injured.
The Gaza Strip was effectively divided into southern and northern parts. On the night of May 7, Israeli ground forces entered Rafah, a city in the south of the enclave, which is considered the last stronghold of Hamas. There are about one and a half million Palestinians there, who were forced to flee from the north and central part of Gaza.
The Russian Foreign Ministry has repeatedly called on the parties to the conflict to cease hostilities. Moscow is convinced that a settlement is only possible on the basis of the formula approved by the UN Security Council with the creation of a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders with its capital in East Jerusalem.