Vladimir Putin talks Ukraine war, Al-Aqsa raids with Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas

Russian President Vladimir Putin held a phone call with Palestinian counterpart Mahmoud Abbas on Monday to discuss Moscow's invasion of Ukraine and Israeli raids on the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, according to Palestinian state media.

Putin said he rejected "Israeli practices that prevent worshipers from freely accessing Al-Aqsa Mosque," Palestinian Authority news agency WAFA reported.

The Russian president "stressed Russia's firm position to support the rights of the Palestinian people, and that Russia will continue to provide its political support to the Palestinian cause in all international forums".

On Russia's ongoing invasion and assault on Ukraine, Putin told Abbas that he "will make all efforts to reach a negotiated solution to the Ukrainian crisis".

Abbas "affirmed President Putin's position" on seeking resolution in Ukraine, WAFA said.

The two leaders also discussed food security.

"Putin stressed that Russia will provide all the needs of Palestinian and other importers in the Middle East of Russian wheat, materials and crops," the Palestinian news outlet said.

Middle Eastern nations are heavily reliant on Russian and Ukrainian exports for staples including wheat and sunflower oil. Food prices have shot up across the region since Russia invaded Ukraine on 24 February.

Ties between Israel and Russia have soured since Moscow's invasion, with Tel Aviv having openly condemned the operation and pledging support for Ukraine.