LOC22:20
19:20 GMT
MOSCOW, Feb 12 (KUNA) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has discussed with his US counterpart Donald Trump the latest developments related to the Middle East settlement.
"I have just spoken over the phone with United States President Mr. Trump. Naturally, we spoke about the Palestinian-Israeli settlement," he said at the beginning of talks with visiting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Monday.
The Russian leader admitted that the situation in the region "is far from what we want to see."
Putin also voiced support to the Palestinian people's aspirations.
For his part, President Abbas reiterated the Palestinian authority's rejection to any US mediating role.
Instead, he called for an international multilateral mechanism for mediation between Palestinians and Israel.
President Abbas reaffirmed opposition to the US decisions to recognize occupied Jerusalem as capital of Israel and to move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. (end)
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