RT – Moscow stands for the peaceful resolution of all conflicts, including those in the Middle East, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated on Tuesday during a meeting with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, who is in Moscow on a three-day visit.
Putin praised Russia’s “long-standing, deep-rooted ties with the Arab world, and in particular with Palestine,” adding that it causes “great concern that a humanitarian catastrophe is occurring in Palestine right now.”
According to the Russian leader, the roots of the Gaza conflict are the result of international resolutions regarding the creation of an independent Palestinian state being ignored.
“To establish long-lasting, reliable peace in the region, it is necessary that all the resolutions of the United Nations are implemented, first of all an independent Palestinian State must be established,” Putin stressed. “We have adhered to this position for a long time and it hasn’t changed with the changes of political environment.”
The Russian president said the situation in Gaza is of “great concern” due to mass losses among the civilian population, mostly women and children. According to the UN, the death toll has already approached 40,000 people, he noted.
“We do everything we can to support the Palestinian people. As you know we have already sent some 700 tons of humanitarian aid,” Putin concluded.
Abbas thanked the Russian government and people, saying: “We feel that Russia is one of the dearest friends of the Palestinian people.”
He pointed out that since 1947, more than 1,000 resolutions have been adopted by the UN General Assembly and the Security Council.