Abbas meets Putin in Moscow, demands Gaza ceasefire

Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Friday, calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the opening of humanitarian aid corridors amid Israel’s ongoing military campaign against Hamas.

The meeting took place on the sidelines of Russia’s commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany.

According to the Palestinian WAFA news agency, Abbas thanked Putin for the invitation to the event and praised Russia’s “consistent support” for the Palestinian cause. He briefed Putin on what he described as “Israeli aggression” in both Gaza and Judea and Samaria, accusing Israel of targeting civilians and enforcing a “total blockade” since March 2.

Abbas demanded a complete Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, an end to Israeli military operations in Judea and Samaria, and for unrestricted entry of food, water, medicine and fuel into Gaza.

Putin, for his part, reiterated Russia’s backing of Palestinian self-determination and emphasised the need to halt the war in Gaza, allow humanitarian aid into Gaza and prevent the displacement of Palestinians.

Also present at the meeting were senior P.A. officials, including Ahmad Majdalani, Yasser Abbas, Ahmad Assaf and Palestinian Ambassador to Russia Abdul Hafiz Nofal.

JNS