Abbas urges visiting Russian leader Putin to pressure Israel to stop building settlements

Today, 26th June. The Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas welcomed the President of Russia Vladimir Putin in Bethlehem today for a historical visit to the Palestinian territories.

A Russian broadcast has reported that the President of the Palestinian Authority Abbas said in an interview that Netanyahu hasn't responded to the pre-conditions to resume negotiations, and that Israeli settlements are on the top of the list of such pre-conditions.

President Abbas told Russian news agency Interfax that the freezing of the political situation is due to Israeli settlement activities that Netanyahu has refused to cease. He also said that Netanyahu is considering Putin's invitation to meet Abbas for "public relations" but this has been totally refused by the Palestinian leadership.

Abbas has once again called for the freeze of settlements if Israel is serious about the peace process.

President Abbas welcomed Putin, who arrived in Bethlehem at 10 am this morning. The two Presidents will sign bilateral agreements between the two countries. Putin will also participate in the opening ceremony of the Russian Centre of Science and Culture. more

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