Russia concerned over Israel-Palestine conflict

By Diyar Guldogan

ANKARA

Moscow is "deeply" concerned over the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine, Russian Foreign Ministry said Thursday.

"Palestine and Israel have not held political negotiations for nearly three years, and the situation on the ground has been deteriorating," the ministry said in a statement.

It said the "stalling" of the Middle East peace process had created conditions for "unilateral" moves that undermined the potential for an internationally accepted solution to the Palestinian problem.

"Moscow reaffirms its support for the two-state solution as an optimal option that meets the national interests of the Palestinian and Israeli people," it added.

The ministry said Russia would continue to provide assistance to the achievement of Israeli-Palestinian agreements.

"We will focus on ensuring free access to Jerusalem’s holy places for all believers," it added.