Russian FM demands probe into Shireen Abu Akleh killing during PLO meeting

Russia's foreign minister demanded an investigation into the Shireen Abu Akleh killing during a meeting with a senior member of the Palestine Liberation Organization in Moscow on Tuesday.

PLO Executive Committee member Hussein Al-Sheikh met Sergei Lavrov and his deputy, Mikhail Bogdanov, to discuss issues relating to Palestine and Israel.

“Lavrov expressed sincere condolences over the tragic death of Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Akleh on May 11 and supported the PLO’s request to conduct a thorough and objective investigation of her murder,” the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement.

Lavrov and al-Sheikh also discussed a long-running Palestinian project to mend political rifts between the Fatah and Hamas factions and bring about national unity.

They also talked about Palestinian-Russian relations as Moscow continues to seek out its allies in the region while the war in Ukraine continues.

Lavrov stressed the importance of the two-State solution and said he stands firm in supporting the creation of a Palestinian state alongside Israel.
 

The Palestinian leadership has tried to remain neutral in the Russia-Ukraine conflict and continued open relations with Moscow, calling for a negotiated solution to the war, which is now in its third month.

During a meeting between Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Russian President Vladimir Putin in April, Abbas affirmed Putin's position of finding a "political solution" to the conflict.

However, Palestinian leaders have condemned Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky's appeals to Israel for support.

Ties between Israel and Russia have soured since Moscow's invasion, with Israel condemning the Russian assault - with some reluctance - and pledging qualified support for Ukraine.