Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas met Vladimir Putin today, saying that he does not trust the United States to resolve the conflict with Israel, but is "completely satisfied" with Russia.
Abbas said that, although he trusts the Quartet of international mediators - the European Union, the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Russian Federation - he does not trust the US to act alone, Reuters reports.
Speaking to Putin at the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) in Kazakhstan today, Abbas said: "We don't trust America and you know our position. We don't trust it, we don't rely on it, and under no circumstances can we accept that America is the sole party in resolving a problem."
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas on the sidelines of the Sixth Summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) in Astana on October 13, 2022 (Photo by Vyacheslav Prokofyev/SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images)
"It can be within the Quartet since it is a great country but we will never accept it as the only one," he added.
These comments come as the US and its western allies are increasingly isolating Russia following its brutal invasion of Ukraine in February.
Abbas said that he is "completely satisfied" with Russia's position towards the Palestinian people, and added: "Russia stands by justice and international law and that is enough for us."
Abbas made the comments during a televised portion of the meeting (Photo by Vyacheslav Prokofyev/SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images)
"When you say you stand by international legitimacy, this is enough for me and that is what I want. Therefore, we are happy and satisfied with the Russian position."
The comments reflect Abbas' longstanding suspicion of the US, despite efforts by President Joe Biden to ease tensions during a trip to the region in July.
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