Palestinians hope Putin’s visit means bigger Russian role in peace process
Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit the Palestinian territories, where he and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas are expected to discuss trade ties, peace negotiations and the upcoming Palestinian elections.
RAMALLAH, West Bank — The Palestinian Authority is getting ready to welcome Russian President Vladimir Putin in Bethlehem Jan. 23. Putin is scheduled to meet with President Mahmoud Abbas and visit the Church of the Nativity and the President Putin Palestinian Organization for Culture and Economy, Palestinian Ambassador to Russia Abdel Hafiz Nofal told Al-Monitor.
Putin’s visit to the West Bank is part of a regional tour that will also include a stop in Israel to participate in the Holocaust commemoration events and the 75th anniversary of the Soviet forces’ liberation of detainees from Nazi concentration camps.
