Moscow welcomes Israel-Palestine ceasefire
MOSCOW. May 21 (Interfax) - Moscow welcomes the Israeli-Palestinian ceasefire and calls for direct dialogue between the parties to avoid new outbreaks of armed confrontation, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said.
"Moscow notes with deep satisfaction that a ceasefire was implemented in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict zone at 2:00 a.m. on May 21," Zakharova said at a press briefing on Friday.
"An important, but yet insufficient step has been taken to avoid a further escalation of violence. In order to avoid recurrences of armed confrontation, international and regional efforts should focus on creating the conditions for a relaunch of direct political negotiations between the Israelis and the Palestinians," she said.
Russia is urging its partners to continue "their intensive collective work in order to resume a direct and constructive Palestinian-Israeli dialogue," Zakharova said.
"A lasting and fair settlement of the Palestinian problem is the main prerequisite for comprehensive stabilization throughout the Middle East," she said.