Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas told Russian President Vladmir Putin this week that he does not trust the United States, informed Palestinian sources affirmed on Friday.
Abbas met Putin on Thursday on the sidelines of the 6th summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-building Measures in Asia (CICA) in Astana, Kazakhstan.
According to the sources who spoke on condition of anonymity, Abbas restated to Putin his reservations about the role of the US as an unbiased mediator in any future negotiations with Israel.
Abbas reiterated his support for the so-called Quartet of international mediators - Russia, the US, the UN and the European Union - but said the US could not be left a free hand to act alone.
“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,” Abbas told Putin.
Later in televised remarks, the Palestinian President said Washington can be within the Quartet since it is a great country but that the PA will never accept it as the only one.
In return, Abbas said he was “completely satisfied” with Russia's position towards the Palestinian people.
“Russia stands by justice and international law and that is enough for us,” he stressed.
“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,” Abbas added.
On Friday, the Palestinian presidency ignored Abbas’ reported statements about not trusting the United States.
It only said that the President briefed Putin on the latest political developments regarding the Palestinian issue, as well as on the continued Israeli violations against the Palestinian people, land, and Muslim and Christian holy sites, in addition to the ongoing construction of settemnets.
The statement added that both men also discussed the latest developments in the region, international and regional issues of common interest, and the ways to promote bilateral relations between the two countries and leaderships.
Abbas then praised Russia’s positions at all international forums in support of the Palestinian people and their just cause.
