From the Liveblog of
Wednesday, August 14, 2024
In Moscow, Abbas says PA will not agree to Russia’s exclusion from Middle East peace process
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleGianluca Pacchiani is the Arab affairs reporter for The Times of Israel
The Palestinian Authority will under no circumstances agree to Russia’s exclusion from the Middle East peace process, PA President Mahmoud Abbas says in an interview with Moscow’s state news agency TASS.
Russia “has always sought and is seeking ways for a peace solution” and is striving for “a just solution to the Middle East issue in accordance with international law,” Abbas claims.
“And let’s not forget its role in the ‘Middle East Quartet.’ The United States has always wanted to exclude Russia from this process. Under no circumstances shall we agree to Russia’s exclusion from any Middle East settlement platform, because it takes a truly fair position on the Middle East issue based on international law,” he adds.
The PA leader is in Moscow on an official visit, during which he sat down with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Russia is not currently involved in mediation efforts between Israel and the terror group Hamas, but hosted reconciliation talks between Palestinian factions, including Hamas and Abbas’s Fatah, in late February.
The Times of Israel Community.