NOVO-OGARYOVO. Aug 13 (Interfax) - Russia is following the events unfolding in Palestine despite being involved in the special military operation, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.
"Dear Mr. President, dear friends, first of all, let me cordially welcome you to Moscow. We have not met for two years, although we remain in constant contact, and I am very glad to see you and your delegation," Putin said at the beginning of negotiations with Palestine head Mahmoud Abbas.
"It's a matter of common knowledge that, regretfully, Russia has to defend its interest and people with arms nowadays, but of course, what is happening in the Middle East, what is happening in Palestine does not go unnoticed on our part," Putin said.
Presidential aide Yury Ushakov, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Labor and Social Protection Minister Anton Kotyakov, General Staff Deputy Chief Igor Kostyukov and Russian Representative to the Palestinian National Authority Gocha Buachidze are taking part in negotiations on behalf of Russia.
The Palestinian delegation comprises Civil Affairs Minister Hussein al-Sheikh, General Intelligence Service head Majed Faraj, Palestinian Ambassador in Moscow Abdel Hafiz Nofal, and Abbas' diplomatic advisor Majdi Khaldi.