MBS, Putin express ‘deep concern about humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza'

Russia and Saudi Arabia "expressed their deep concern about the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza," and called for the establishment of a Palestinian state on 1967 borders, reported the Saudi state news agency SPA. 

Russian President Vladimir Putin was in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday for a short one-day visit which included the United Arab Emirates. The joint communique was released on Thursday.

The Saudi crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, and President Putin “stressed the need to stop military operations in the Palestinian territories, and the need to protect civilians in accordance with international law and international humanitarian law,” a joint statement read. 

They agreed that it was necessary “to enable the Palestinian people to achieve their legitimate rights to establish an independent, sovereign Palestinian state on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital”.