The Russian Federation Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday issued an official statement expressing “deep concern” over the state of affairs of the Israel-Palestinian Authority relationship, and implying that when eastern Jerusalem becomes the capital of a future Palestinian State, Moscow would also recognize West Jerusalem as the capital of Israel – something no world power has done.
The statement said: “Moscow is deeply concerned about the state of affairs in the Palestinian-Israeli settlement. While Palestinians and Israelis have not been conducting political negotiations for almost three years, the situation on the ground is steadily degrading.
“Vacuum in the Middle East peace process creates a favorable ground for unilateral steps that undermine the prospects of an internationally recognized solution to the Palestinian problem, according to which the two states – Israel and Palestine – will coexist in peace and security with each other and all their neighbors.
“Moscow continues to consider the formula for negotiating a two-state settlement of an optimal and friendly to us Palestinian and Israeli people, as well as to the interests of all countries in the region and the world community as a whole.
“We reaffirm our commitment to the UN resolutions on the principles of settlement, including the status of East Jerusalem as the capital of the future Palestinian state. At the same time, we consider it necessary to say that in this context we regard West Jerusalem as the capital of the State of Israel.
“Specific parameters for addressing the full range of issues of the final status of the Palestinian territories, including the Jerusalem problem, should be agreed upon in direct negotiations between the parties. As a permanent member of the UN Security Council , co-sponsor of the peace process and an active participant in the Middle East quartet of international mediators, Russia will continue to assist Israelis and Palestinians in reaching appropriate agreements. Particular attention will be paid to ensuring freedom of access for all believers to the holy places of Jerusalem.”