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Diplomat: Russia ready to host Abbas-Netanyahu meeting in Moscow

The Russian diplomat voiced concerns over the deadlock in the Israeli-Palestinian settlement, stressing that this leads to the deterioration of the situation in the region

MOSCOW, September 8. /TASS/. The Russian side confirms its readiness to arrange a meeting in Moscow between Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Foreign Ministry official spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Thursday.

"Responding to the appeals of the Palestinians and Israelis, we confirmed our readiness to arrange a meeting in Moscow between Palestinian President Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu," Zakharova said.

The Russian diplomat voiced concerns over the deadlock in the Israeli-Palestinian settlement, stressing that this leads to the deterioration of the situation on the ground.

She noted that after US mediation efforts in 2013 and 2014 failed, direct dialogue between the parties to the conflict had nearly come to a grinding halt. "We are convinced that there is a need to resume the negotiations, which would be a factor serving the interests in normalizing the situation," Zakharova said.

Zakharova confirmed that the leaders of Israel and Palestine have agreed in principle to meet in Russia. "It is most important to choose an appropriate moment for it, the intense contacts continue, including on this issue," she said. "We are satisfied by how Russia’s role in the Middle East peace process is demanded.".