Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday held bilateral meetings in Moscow with leaders from the Palestinian Authority, Zimbabwe, and Burkina Faso, as part of commemorations marking the 80th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa, and Burkina Faso’s President Ibrahim Traoré were among the dignitaries in attendance at the Victory Day events.
During his meeting with Abbas, President Putin proposed a discussion on how Russia could contribute further to efforts aimed at de-escalating tensions in the Middle East. The talks come amid heightened global diplomatic activity surrounding both the Middle East and Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine.
Meanwhile, leaders of four major European nations — France, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Poland — jointly called on Putin to accept an unconditional 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine. They warned of increased pressure if he fails to comply.
The European leaders stated that their ceasefire proposal, set to begin on Monday, had the backing of U.S. President Donald Trump, whom they briefed earlier on Saturday.
