BETHLEHEM. Jan 23 (Interfax) - Moscow understands Palestine's concerns regarding the process of Palestinian-Israeli settlement, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.
"Russian-Palestinian relations are deeply rooted. We are maintaining relations in various fields, and you have just mentioned them now. We are ready to step up this interaction," Putin said at the beginning of a meeting with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas.
"This concerns economy, the humanitarian sphere, and it certainly concerns those issues related to Israeli settlement. I understand your concerns in this sphere," the Russian leader said.
Putin additionally said during the meeting with Abbas that he would like to discuss the situation in the whole of the region.
"Of course, we are expecting you in Moscow in May of this year," Putin said.