Russian President Vladimir Putin reassured Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Tuesday that Moscow is “doing everything” to support Palestine amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Putin expressed concern over civilian casualties, stating, “We are concerned above all about civilian losses,” as shown on Russian state television.
Putin emphasized that the only way to achieve “long-lasting, reliable, stable peace in the region” is through the implementation of all UN resolutions and the creation of a “fully-fledged Palestinian state.” Abbas, in response, told Putin, “We feel that Russia is one of the dearest friends of the Palestinian people.”
The leaders held discussions following a weekend airstrike on a Gaza school building that left at least 93 people dead, including 11 children, according to the Gaza civil defense agency. Israel’s military stated that the raid had “eliminated” 31 militants.
For years, Moscow has sought to maintain balanced relations with all key players in the Middle East, including Israel and the Palestinians. However, since the onset of the Israel-Hamas war and Russia’s offensive on Ukraine, Putin has moved closer to Israel’s adversaries, including Hamas and Iran.
The Gaza war began on October 7, following a Hamas attack on Israel that resulted in the deaths of 1,198 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures. Israel’s military response in Gaza has since killed at least 39,929 people, according to the territory’s health ministry, which does not differentiate between civilian and militant deaths.
