PA President Abbas set to meet with Putin in Moscow next week

Putin and Abbas last met in April in Moscow where the two discussed peace and security issues in the Middle East.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) and Palestinian Authority chief Mahmoud Abbas in Moscow (photo credit: REUTERS)
Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) and Palestinian Authority chief Mahmoud Abbas in Moscow
(photo credit: REUTERS)
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is set to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in for talks next week after attending the opening ceremony for Europe's largest mosque, AFP reported Friday.
"President Abbas will arrive next week to take part in the opening ceremony of the Moscow Grand Mosque," a spokesman for the Palestinian embassy in Russia said.
Putin and Abbas last met in April in Moscow where the two discussed peace and security issues in the Middle East, along with strengthening bilateral relations, AFP added.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is also scheduled to visit Russia next week for talks with  Putin on Russia's expanding military deployment in Syria, an Israeli official said on Wednesday.
"The prime minister will present the threats to Israel emanating from the increased flow of advanced weaponry to the Syrian arena and from the transfer of lethal weaponry to Hezbollah and other terrorist groups," the official said.
Moscow has come under increased international pressure to explain its moves in Syria, where the Kremlin has been supporting Syrian President Bashar Assad in a 4-1/2-year war.