Russian President Vladimir Putin reiterated Moscow’s support for Palestinian statehood at the start of talks with Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas in Novo-Ogaryovo near Moscow on August 13. Putin stressed that Russia is closely following developments in Gaza. "We think for establishing a long, reliable, and stable peace in the region, all the UN decisions must be carried out, and first of all, a full-fledged state of Palestine must be established," Putin said at the beginning of the talks. Abbas expressed thanks to Russia for supporting Palestine.