President Mahmoud Abbas with the Secretary of the Russian National Security Council Nikolai Patrushev in Ramallah (WAFA Images/Usama Falah)  

RAMALLAH, February 1, 2018 (WAFA) – President Mahmoud Abbas Thursday received Secretary of the Russian National Security Council Nikolai Patrushev to discuss the important role Russia is expected to play in world politics.

He briefed Patrushev on the latest political developments affirming the important political role Russia plays within the framework of the International Quartet.

Abbas stressed the Palestinian leadership’s interest to develop and strengthen the bilateral Palestinian and Russian relations and praised the country’s supportive role to Palestine in all fields.

Patrushev told Abbas that the Russian President Vladimir Putin is looking forward to meeting with him in Sochi on February 12 to discuss bilateral relations and the latest developments in the region and the world.

Patrushev stressed that Russia will continue to support the Palestinian people’s drive for peace.

Abbas met with the Russian delegation headed by Patrushev in the presidential headquarters in Ramallah in the presence of senior Palestinian officials, including Saeb Erekat, secretary general of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).

M.H./M.K.