Russia supports Palestine dialogue

Putin meets Abbas to discuss peace

MOSCOW // Russia supports the resumption of dialogue between Israel and Palestine, president Vladimir Putin said yesterday , as US president Donald Trump prepares to visit Israel.

“The peaceful coexistence of the two states – Palestine and Israel – is an indispensable condition to ensure genuine security and stability in this region,” Mr Putin said after talks with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas in the southern Russian city of Sochi. Mr Abbas said Palestine “values Russia’s counter-terrorism efforts, as well as its contribution to strengthening security and stability in the Middle East, including in Syria”, Russia’s Ria Novosti state news agency reported.

After Mr Putin’s meeting with Mr Abbas, Russia’s defence ministry said Israeli defence minister Avigdor Lieberman had called Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu, yesterday.

The two ministers discussed defence cooperation between Russia and Palestine as well as regional security issues, the ministry said. Mr Abbas said yesterday that he welcomed “president Trump’s desire to help find a solution” to the Israel-Palestinian conflict.

“I told him that we were completely ready to cooperate with him and undertake efforts to reach a historical peace plan to end the conflict between us and the Israelis.”

The Palestinian leader met the US president at the White House on May 3. Mr Abbas said on Tuesday that Mr Trump was expected to visit the Palestinian territories soon and that he was ready to meet Israel’s prime minister.