Feb. 13 (UPI) — During a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin Monday, President Donald Trump said it’s time to work toward peace between Israel and Palestine.
The call began with Trump offering condolences about Sunday’s crash of Saratov Airlines Flight 703, the White House said in a statement.
Trump said, if needed, the United States will assist Russian authorities in their investigation of the crash that killed all 71 people on board after takeoff from a Moscow airport.
During the call, Putin mentioned a meeting Tuesday with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.
In response, Trump said “now is the time to work toward an enduring peace agreement,” and echoed the importance of taking action to ensure the denuclearization of North Korea.
During his meeting with Abbas, the Palestinian Authority President, Putin said he could no longer accept the United States being a mediator in talks with Israel.
“We state that from now on we refuse to cooperate in any form with the U.S. in its status of a mediator, as we stand against its actions,” Abbas told Putin.
The Palestinian leader has boycotted the Trump administration since the U.S. president declared last month that Jerusalem is recognized as Israel’s capital.
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