Grapevine

Putin expresses concern about civilian deaths in Gaza in meeting with Abbas

Russian leader says his country is focused on war in Ukraine but laments ‘humanitarian catastrophe’ in Gaza.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has told Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas he is “concerned” about the high number of Palestinian civilian casualties in Gaza.

In a meeting in Moscow on Tuesday, Abbas said that Russia was considered one of the “dearest friends” of the Palestinian people, while Putin reaffirmed Russia’s support for a two-state solution.

“Everyone is well aware that Russia today, unfortunately, must defend its interests and defend its people with arms in hand. But what is happening in the Middle East, what is happening in Palestine, of course, does not go unnoticed on our part,” Putin said, according to a Kremlin transcript.

“And of course, we are watching with great pain and anxiety the humanitarian catastrophe that has unfolded in Palestine,” he added.