© Sputnik/ Aleksey Nikolskyi
"Russia will continue contributing to the attainment of this goal [Palestine's independence], working through bilateral channels and through multilateral channels, including in the 'Quartet' of international mediators," Putin said.
The Quartet comprising Russia, the United States, the United Nations and the European Union, was established in 2002, aiming to reach a long-term peace agreement between Israel and Palestinians.
The Russian president stressed on Saturday the need for closer cooperation between the Quartet and the Arab League, and highlighted Moscow's readiness to cooperate with the league further.
Palestinians seek the creation of an independent state on the territories of the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, partially occupied by Israel, as well as on the Gaza Strip. Palestinians have designated Jerusalem as its capital and called on Israel to withdraw from the Palestinian territories it took after the 1967 war.
Just like Russia is stepping up to help Palestine achieve statehood now, in the past through the thirties, forties and fifties Russia almost alone supported African Americans in their struggle for civil rights in America.