Russia announces Mahmoud Abbas’ visit to Moscow  has been postponed

Russia has announced that Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has "postponed" a visit to Moscow scheduled for this month. Russia, which cooperates with Israel, the Palestinian Authority and Hamas, has repeatedly said Abbas can visit Moscow without specifying a date. Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov told state media that the visit, scheduled for November 15, has been postponed. “It has been postponed. At the request of the Palestinian side,'' he said, citing Russian news agencies. Bogdanov said Palestinian officials had told Moscow that "the situation is currently difficult" and that Abbas "cannot leave the region." Bogdanov said Russia maintains "continuous telephone contact (with the Palestinian side)." Russia maintains good relations with both Israel and Hamas, and does not consider Hamas a terrorist organization.