MOSCOW. Dec 22 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin has had a phone call with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, the Kremlin press service said on Friday.
"Issues pertaining to the unprecedented escalation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, primarily in the Gaza Strip, were discussed in great detail. Following contacts with the leaders of Middle Eastern states, Vladimir Putin provided information about Russian efforts to assist in de-escalating the conflict and ensuring continuous deliveries of humanitarian aid to those in need," the press service said.
"Russia will continue to supply essentials, including drugs and medical equipment, to the Gaza Strip," it said.
"The importance of the soonest possible end to the bloodshed and the resumption of the Middle East peace process on the widely accepted international legal basis, which envisages the establishment of the State of Palestine within the 1967 borders, was underlined. In that context, the Russian side supported the efforts taken by the Palestinian administration led by Mahmoud Abbas," the press service said.
The sides "expressed the mutual aspiration to further strengthen amicable Russian-Palestinian relations. The invitation to the Palestinian president to visit Russia at a mutually acceptable time was reaffirmed" during the phone call, it said.