They came for help: Palestine is counting on Russia's support

A settlement in the Middle East is possible only with the full functioning of the Palestinian state: to support it, Russia is ready to send $1 billion to the "Peace Council" created by Donald Trump. Vladimir Putin said this on January 22 at talks with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. The issue of using frozen assets of the Russian Federation for this purpose has already been discussed with the American side. The head of Palestine thanked the Russian leader and stressed that his people would not leave their land, "no matter what the price was." According to his estimates, the destruction in Gaza is catastrophic, and the number of dead and injured has reached 260 thousand. In addition to the conflict in the exclave, the parties also touched upon the bilateral agenda — the trade turnover, despite modest results, increased threefold. Moscow has also promised to continue training personnel for Palestine.

How Putin and Abbas propose to resolve the conflict in Gaza

In the midst of discussions about the situation in the Gaza Strip, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas flew to Moscow. His flight landed at the capital's airport the day before: the culmination of the two-day visit of the Middle Eastern leader was the talks with Vladimir Putin, which took place on January 22. The focus is on the situation in the Middle East, especially in the context of the "Peace Council", which was announced on January 16 by US President Donald Trump.

Despite the fact that he now plans to deal with major conflicts in the international arena, this body was originally created to monitor the situation in the Gaza Strip. The American president had previously sent membership proposals to world leaders, and on January 22, the heads of 19 states and self-proclaimed Kosovo signed the charter of the "Peace Council." Among them are four leaders of post—Soviet countries, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, Heads of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, as well as Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan. In addition, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko confirmed his participation earlier. It is noteworthy that most of the EU countries declined the invitation to join this structure — many fear that it may overstrain the role of the UN and contradict international law.

Russia has already received a personal appeal from US President Donald Trump to join the new international structure. The day before, the Russian leader made a specific proposal — Moscow is ready to send $1 billion to Donald Trump's "Peace Council", but from funds frozen in the United States. Earlier, the media wrote that in order to join the Gas council, a contribution of just this amount is needed. This money should be spent on humanitarian aid and the reconstruction of Palestine.

According to Putin, such a development is quite possible. The Russian side had discussed these options before with representatives of the American administration, he noted.

— In any case, we are very glad that our contacts with you are continuing. They always take place at different levels, but we are glad that contacts continue at the highest level," the Russian president told his Palestinian counterpart.

Putin also once again recalled Moscow's position on ending the Middle East conflict: only the formation and full-fledged functioning of a Palestinian state can lead to a final settlement. On behalf of the entire nation, Abbas thanked Moscow for its help and support. According to his estimates, the number of dead and wounded in the Gaza Strip has reached 260 thousand, and "thousands and thousands more wounded" in the West Bank. The amount of destruction in Gaza is catastrophic: 85% of the exclave's infrastructure has been completely destroyed. These are educational institutions such as schools, universities, and religious sites such as mosques and churches.

— The Palestinian people are holding on to their land, and we categorically oppose attempts by Americans and Israelis to expatriate Palestinians outside the Palestinian territory. The Palestinian people insist that they will not leave their land, no matter what the price is. We have to live in tents now. These tents are being washed away by the rain, they are being destroyed, and the ground is being eroded. Nevertheless, we will not be forced to leave our land. What we need is peace, and we hope that with your help and support we can achieve this," said Mahmoud Abbas.

How will the situation in the region develop further

Despite the fact that the Palestinian National Authority, headed by Abbas, has managed to de facto regain legal control over Gaza, it is not yet clear how relations with the "Peace Council" on earth will develop, experts say. Therefore, in the closed part, the leaders are likely to touch upon the issue of further post-war settlement in the Palestinian exclave, says orientalist Leonid Tsukanov.

— Abbas expects to enlist the support of strong players invited to the council, including Russia. Moreover, the situation in the exclave remains quite tense — the issue of Hamas' participation in the post—war life of Gaza is the subject of sharp disputes between factions," he told Izvestia.

At the same time, Moscow still makes it clear that in the Middle East settlement, it will focus primarily on the United Nations, and not on the "Peace Council," Leonid Tsukanov emphasized. Work in this direction has already been done in general. In September, at the UN General Assembly, Canada, Great Britain, France, Belgium, Luxembourg and a number of other countries announced recognition of the Palestinian state. In general, since 1988, when the Palestinians announced the establishment of their State with East Jerusalem as its capital, about 150 countries have recognized its status.

— Over the past 25 years, there have not been as many important events as in these four years. And in this regard, it is very important for the Palestinian Authority to contact all its allies from the outside. At such a difficult moment in history, when the outlines of potential deals around the Palestinian issue are being outlined — that is, when the fire in Gaza has already been stopped — Mahmoud Abbas and his government are striving to make the most of the moment when, let's say, the spotlight is again directed towards the Palestinian issue," an expert on the Middle East told Izvestia. To the east, Artem Tkachev.

Leonid Tsukanov believes that the work on the post-war structure of Gaza can also be a good help for further deepening relations between Russia and Palestine. Today, despite all the difficulties in the Middle East region, bilateral relations are developing, Putin noted.

— Every time we come to Moscow, we feel that there is a special spiritual connection between our states. Moscow is our second home, we are here among friends," Abbas stressed.

Russia will continue to train personnel for Palestine: this year, 150 of its natives are studying at universities and other educational institutions in Russia. But the trade turnover remains modest, but the upward trend is obvious — to date, trade has tripled, Vladimir Putin concluded.