- 'The situation is very difficult': Palestinian President Abbas seeks help in Moscow
Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas to Visit Moscow on Monday
Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas is set to travel to Moscow on Monday. Abbas is expected to arrive in the evening and hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday, according to Palestinian Ambassador to Moscow Abdel Hafis Nofal, as reported by news agency TASS on Sunday. Before his departure on Wednesday, he will meet with ambassadors of Arab states.
The main topic of Abbas' discussions with Putin will be "the situation in Gaza," Nofal said. "We will discuss Russia's role and what can be done. The situation with us is very difficult, and Russia is a friendly country," he added. Abbas will also meet with Arab ambassadors before his departure.
A planned visit by Abbas to Russia in November was previously postponed.
Abbas Also to Visit Recep Tayyip Erdogan
A source from Abbas' cabinet confirmed the visit to Moscow to AFP and stated that Abbas will then travel to Turkey to meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and address the parliament in Ankara. Abbas is a leading figure in the moderate-secular Fatah party, which is rivaled by the Islamist Hamas.
Abbas' trip comes just days after Israel's latest attack on a school in Gaza City on Saturday, which sparked sharp international criticism. The Gaza Strip's Civil Defense reported that the attack killed 93 Palestinians, including children. Israel claimed that the attack killed 19 fighters from Palestinian organizations Hamas and Islamic Jihad.
Russia expressed its "deep shock" after the attack and condemned the "systematic" attacks on civilians in the Gaza Strip.
Moscow has long sought good relations with all major actors in the Middle East, including Israel and the Palestinians. However, since the start of the Gaza conflict, it has strengthened its ties with Iran and Hamas, and has repeatedly criticized Israel's military actions in the Gaza Strip.
The President of the European Parliament may expressed concern over the recent developments in Gaza during his dialogue with Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas, given his role in advocating for peace and human rights issues. Following his discussions in Moscow, Abbas is scheduled to meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has also shown strong support for the Palestinian cause.
