"Of course, we are monitoring with great pain and anxiety the humanitarian catastrophe that has unfolded in Palestine. For our part, we are doing everything to support the Palestinian people," told Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at talks in Moscow.
Russia is paying great attention to what is happening in the Middle East, the Russian leader added.
"It is well known that Russia today, unfortunately, must defend its interests, defend its people with weapons in its hand, but what is happening in the Middle East, what is happening in Palestine, certainly does not remain without attention on our part," Putin said.