MOSCOW, July 04. /ITAR-TASS/. Russia favours de-escalation on the Palestinian territories, Russia’s high-ranking diplomat has said.

“We support the efforts aimed at searching for persons guilty of killing three Israeli teenagers and a Palestinian teenager. Guilty persons should be punished,” the ministry said.

It commented on Friday’s meeting between Russian special presidential envoy for the Middle East, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov and Palestinian Ambassador in Moscow Fayed Mustafa.

“Mustafa told Bogdanov about the situation on the West Bank and the Gaza Strip due to the deterioration of relations between Palestine and Israel,” the ministry said.

The Russian and Palestinian high-ranking diplomat also discussed regional issues with the focus on the situation in Syria and Iraq.