Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his "concern" over the significant number of Palestinian civilian casualties in Gaza during a meeting with Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas.

In their meeting on Tuesday in Moscow, Abbas described Russia as one of the “dearest friends” of the Palestinian people, while Putin reiterated Russia's support for a two-state solution.

“Everyone is well aware that Russia today, unfortunately, must defend its interests and its people with arms in hand. But what is happening in the Middle East, particularly in Palestine, certainly does not go unnoticed by us,” Putin stated, according to a Kremlin transcript. 

“And of course, we are observing with deep sorrow and concern the humanitarian disaster that is unfolding in Palestine,” he added.