Abbas cements "strategic partnership" with China-Russia axis in Moscow
- PA head has warm meetings with Xi and Putin at Moscow Victory Day Parade event
- In private meetings, Abbas calls to further strengthen China and Russia ties
[Official PA daily Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, May 9, 2025]
The Palestinian Authority has unequivocally aligned itself with the anti-American axis led by China and Russia. This is a deceitful betrayal of the United States and Western European nations, whose billions in aid have kept the PA out of financial collapse and sustained its very existence.
This fundamental alliance was on full display during PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas' participation in a major event held in Moscow on May 9, during which he warmly embraced Russian President Vladimir Putin as seen in the picture above. The official PA daily was proud to report that Abbas' attendance was at the "official invitation" of Putin, and "he also participated in the official dinner that Putin held in honor of [world] leaders" [Official PA daily Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, May 10, 2025].
The event was the 80th Moscow Victory Day Parade, celebrating Nazi Germany's surrender in World War II. The combination of Abbas, Moscow, and the Nazis is highly ironic, given that Abbas previously was in Moscow as a student where he wrote a doctoral thesis on his Holocaust denial.
Abbas met with both Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the event, warmly shaking hands with them and stressing the PA's "strategic partnership" with their countries.
[Official PA daily Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, May 10, 2025]
In his meeting with Xi, Abbas thanked the Chinese leader for the important "strategic partnership between the State of Palestine and its friend the People's Republic of China.":
"Abbas expressed to the Chinese president his gratitude and appreciation for China's positions that support our Palestinian people and its just cause in the international forums. He also gave thanks for the humanitarian aid and development aid that China presents to the Palestinian people.
The president emphasized the importance of the strategic partnership between the State of Palestine and its friend the People's Republic of China."
[Official PA daily Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, May 10, 2025]
Speaking with Putin, the PA chairman not only thanked Russia for its support but also urged to "develop" further bilateral ties "in various fields":
"During his meeting with… Putin… the president praised the historical relations between Palestine and Russia. He expressed his appreciation for Russia's fixed positions in favor of the Palestinian people and its just rights...
He also discussed with his Russian counterpart the strengthening of the historical ties of friendship between the two states and ways to develop them in various fields, in a way that serves the interests of the two peoples."
[Official PA daily Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, May 11, 2025]
A picture from the meeting:
This overt embrace of the anti-US axis further solidifies a position that has been repeatedly reiterated by the PA. For example, during a visit to Russia in May 2024, Abbas' advisor Mahmoud Al-Habbash called for a "new multipolar world order" comprised of "the Islamic world, Russia and China."
In a similar vein, in a meeting with the Chinese ambassador this April, Fatah General Commissioner for Arab and China Relations Abbas Zaki called China the "savior of humanity" against the threat of "the Zionist-American alliance."
Given Abbas' call to further "develop" ties with Russia and China, it can only be assumed that the PA will continue to take a more pronounced position in support of America's opponents. Abbas already displayed this stance when he recently cursed America, saying: "May their father be cursed."
The following are longer excerpts of the items cited above and additional info:
Headline: "The [PA] president participated in an official dinner with his Russian counterpart along with the heads of state participating in the 80th anniversary celebrations of the victory over Nazism"
"Yesterday evening, Thursday, [May 8, 2025, PA] President Mahmoud Abbas participated in an official dinner hosted by Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Russian capital of Moscow in honor of the leaders, heads of state, and delegations who participated in the 80th anniversary celebrations of the victory over Nazism."
[Official PA daily Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, May 9, 2025]
The article includes a picture from the event, seen above in the bulletin, showing PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas and Russian President Vladimir Putin approaching each other with arms extended to embrace one another.
Headline: "The [PA] president emphasizes the importance of implementing the Palestinian-Egyptian-Arab plan to rehabilitate Gaza"
"Yesterday, [May 9, 2025, PA] President Mahmoud Abbas participated in the 80th [anniversary] celebrations of the victory over the Nazis held in Moscow, the capital of Russia. This follows an official invitation from Russian President Vladimir Putin, along with a large number of world leaders and heads of state.
The president arrived in the capital, Moscow, on Thursday evening...
He also participated in the official dinner that Putin held in honor of the leaders, heads of state, and delegations participating in the celebrations.
An impressive military parade was held in Red Square in Moscow to mark the 80th anniversary of victory over the Nazis, with the participation of various types of vehicles, military equipment, and divisions of the Russian army...
Two nights ago, President Abbas met with President of the People's Republic of China (PRC) Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the 80th celebrations of the victory over the Nazis...
President Abbas expressed to the Chinese president his gratitude and appreciation for China's positions that support our Palestinian people and its just cause in the international forums. He also gave thanks for the humanitarian aid and development aid that China presents to the Palestinian people.
The president emphasized the importance of the strategic partnership between the State of Palestine and its friend the PRC. He further emphasized that he is proud of the strong historical bilateral relations between the two friendly states."
[Official PA daily Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, May 10, 2025]
The article includes pictures, seen above in the bulletin, of PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas shaking hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Headline: "The [PA] president meets with his Russian counterpart"
"[PA] President Mahmoud Abbas emphasized the need for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and stopping the war of annihilation being waged by the Israeli occupation (refers to Hamas' Oct. 7 war on Israel; see note below -Ed.). He noted the pressing need to bring in urgent humanitarian aid – food, water, medicine, and fuel – to the Gaza Strip that has been subjected to a complete siege since March 2, [2025].
The president again emphasized that Israel must completely withdraw from the Gaza Strip and stop the incessant attacks on the West Bank, including Jerusalem, and the dangerous invasions of the Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem.
He said this during his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin that was held yesterday, Saturday, [May 10, 2025,] on the sidelines of the 80th [anniversary] celebrations of the victory over the Nazis being held in Moscow, the capital of Russia...
The president praised the historical relations between Palestine and Russia. He expressed his appreciation for Russia's fixed positions in favor of the Palestinian people and its just rights, which prove the strength of the friendly ties between the two friendly states in many areas of common interest...
He also discussed with his Russian counterpart the strengthening of the historical ties of friendship between the two states and ways to develop them in various fields, in a way that serves the interests of the two peoples...
Present at the meetings were PLO Executive Committee member Ahmed Majdalani, President [Abbas'] Special Advisor Yasser Abbas (i.e., Abbas' son), General Supervisor of the Official [PA] Media Ahmad Assaf, and Ambassador of the State of Palestine to Russia Abd Al-Hafiz Nawfal."
[Official PA daily Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, May 11, 2025]
Ahmed Majdalani also serves as Secretary-General of the terror organization Palestinian Popular Struggle Front (PPSF), Head of the Board of Trustees of the Palestinian National Economic Empowerment Institution (PNEEI), and Head of the PLO Department of Labor and Planning, and is a former PA Minister of Social Development.
Ahmad Assaf also serves as General Supervisor of Fatah-run Awdah TV.