^{Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Photo}

Abbas concluded his anticipated visit in Moscow on Wednesday, August 14th, before proceeding to Turkey for discussions with President Tayyip Erdogan.

In Moscow

During a meeting with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed concern over the suffering of the Palestinian people and reaffirmed Russia’s support for their goal of establishing a fully independent state, The Times of Israel reports on August 13th.

Despite being engaged in its own conflict in Ukraine, Putin emphasized that Moscow remains attentive to developments in the Middle East. However, he did not address Ukraine’s recent incursion into western Russia, which has displaced over 130,000 people and taken the Russian military by surprise.

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 during the meeting.

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

-he added.

During their meeting, Abbas described Russia as “one of the dearest friends” of the Palestinian people. “We believe in you, we trust you, and we feel your support,” he told Putin.

The Palestinian leader urged the United Nations Security Council, where Russia holds veto power, to take action against Israel’s activities. His appeal follows an advisory ruling last month by the top UN court, declaring Israel’s presence in the West Bank and East Jerusalem as illegal.

Russia has historically maintained ties with both Israel and the Palestinians. However, relations between Jerusalem and Moscow have deteriorated since Israel largely supported Ukraine after Russia’s 2022 invasion. In response, Putin has drawn closer to Israel’s adversaries and become increasingly critical of the Israeli government.

In Turkey

Mahmoud Abbas vowed to visit the besieged Gaza Strip, declaring his commitment to stand with the Palestinian people, even at the risk of his own life, Al Jazeera reports on August 15th.

Addressing Turkey’s Grand National Assembly on Thursday, as the Palestinian death toll in Gaza from the Israeli conflict exceeded 40,000, Abbas condemned the “silence of the international community” in response to Israel’s actions.

I have decided to head to the Gaza Strip along with all the brothers from the Palestinian leadership,

-Abbas stated during his visit to Turkey.

I will work with all my power so that all of us are standing with our people to stop this barbaric aggression even if that would cost us our life. Our life is not more valuable than that of the smallest child in Gaza,

-he also said during his speech.

The timing and logistics of Abbas’s potential visit to Gaza remain uncertain. The Palestinian territory is currently under a stringent Israeli blockade, with the Rafah crossing—the key passage between Egypt and Gaza—under Israeli control for months.

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The Times of Israel, Al Jazeera and agencies