ASHKHABAD (Sputnik) — In September, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Abbas announced their support for Russia’s effort to mediate talks on the resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but laid responsibility on each other for the fact that the meeting had not been agreed yet. Later, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said there is no agreement on the meeting in Moscow yet.
"[I have] high hopes for Moscow talks, initiated by Russian President Vladimir Putin," Abbas told reporters during his visit to the Turkmen capital of Ashkhabad.
Relations between Israel and Palestine have been shattered for decades. Palestinians seek diplomatic recognition for their independent state on the territories of the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, which is partially occupied by Israel, and the Gaza Strip. The Israeli government refuses to recognize Palestine as an independent political and diplomatic entity, and builds settlements on the occupied areas, despite objections from the United Nations.
