President Abbas discusses developments with Russia’s Putin

RAMALLAH: In a telephone conversation today, President Mahmoud Abbas and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin discussed the latest developments in Palestine, especially in light of the ongoing Israeli aggression on Gaza. President Abbas emphasized the urgent need to halt the ongoing Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people. He called for an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire to spare civilians from the woes of the Israeli genocidal war and the destruction carried out by Israeli occupation forces. During the call, President Abbas reiterated the importance of swift humanitarian assistance, reinforced delivery of relief, medical, and food supplies, as well as the provision of water, electricity, fuel, and aid to prevent displacement of Palestinians. The President expressed gratitude to President Putin for Russia's political support on the international stage and its humanitarian aid to Gaza, including the approval to send a Russian field hospital. The President underscored the necessity of inte rvening to stop the Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people in the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem. This includes invasions of cities and Palestinian refugee camps, civilian casualties, infrastructure destruction, assaults on Islamic and Christian holy sites, and acts of ethnic cleansing. President Abbas insisted that Gaza is an integral part of the State of Palestine and cannot be separated or subjected to the Israeli occupation's plans for division. He emphasized the need to release Palestinian tax funds, currently withheld by Israel, and reiterated that Gaza remains the responsibility of the State of Palestine. The President affirmed the Palestinian political vision, emphasizing the need for the full membership of the State of Palestine in the United Nations, and calling for an international conference based on a political solution within a specified timeframe and with international guarantees. He also called for the formation of a Palestinian government to manage affairs in the W est Bank, including East Jerusalem, and Gaza. President Abbas further emphasized that peace and security can only be achieved through the implementation of a two-state solution, covering the entire land of the State of Palestine in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and Gaza, with the recognition of the State of Palestine. He stressed that all security and military solutions have proven to be failures, and true security and stability for the region will not be achieved through such means. In response, President Putin reiterated Russia's support for the Palestinian people to achieve their freedom and independence in their independent Palestinian state according to international legitimacy. President Putin renewed his invitation to President Abbas to visit Russia, and both leaders agreed to continue communication through diplomatic channels to determine the visit's timing at a mutually convenient and earliest possible time. Source: Palestine news & Information Agency – WAFA