GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Russian efforts to promote ties with the Palestinian Authority (PA) continue as it seeks to fill the void caused by the rupture of PA-US ties, following Donald Trump’s Jerusalem decision, the cessation of all financial aid to Palestinians and the closing of the PLO office in Washington.
Most recently, the Russian ambassador to the PA, Haidar Aghanin, said on May 29 that his country is examining a draft convention that would exempt holders of Palestinian diplomatic passports from having to obtain a visa to enter Russia.
During a farewell visit to the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on May 29, Aghanin expressed joy that his last task as ambassador was to hand to his country a draft convention designed to ease communication between Palestinian and Russian officials. Mid-May marked the end of his term as ambassador to the PA.
During his farewell meeting with Aghanin on May 23, Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki praised Russia’s political and financial support to Palestinians, as well as its stances, which serve the Palestinian cause in international forums.
AL-MONITOR All-Access gives you unlimited access to all our journalism, the full Daily Briefing, exclusive interviews, premium newsletters, and live events — for less than $2/week.