Maliki to Asharq Al-Awsat: There is No Alternative But to Win The Jerusalem Battle

Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad Al-Malki (left) with his Italian counterpart in Rome on Thursday as part of his European tour (EPA).
Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad Al-Malki (left) with his Italian counterpart in Rome on Thursday as part of his European tour (EPA).
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Maliki to Asharq Al-Awsat: There is No Alternative But to Win The Jerusalem Battle

Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad Al-Malki (left) with his Italian counterpart in Rome on Thursday as part of his European tour (EPA).
Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad Al-Malki (left) with his Italian counterpart in Rome on Thursday as part of his European tour (EPA).

Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad Al-Maliki expressed his confidence in the ability of the Palestinians to overcome the existing disputes over postponing the legislative elections.

In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Maliki noted that this issue has “hastened the launch of the battle of Jerusalem,” emphasizing its “priority with regard to all Palestinian factions.”

The minister, who visited Moscow as part of a European tour, pointed to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ proposal to form a government of national unity, saying: “All factions agree that Jerusalem is a red line... But it is important to deal with the situation in good faith and work to unify the Palestinian house in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip and to protect Jerusalem, where Israel exploits our division to escalate its violations.”

Maliki continued: “We can overcome all the existing problems by forming a government of national unity. Not all factions… will converge on the same position, and some may go far to exploit the situation to question the leadership and its legitimacy. There are other parties, such as Hamas, which proved their eagerness to end the division during the Istanbul and Cairo meetings.”

While the Palestinian foreign minister emphasized the willingness of Fatah and Hamas to work towards unity, he noted that the two sides did not have enough time to expand the understandings.

“They preferred to go towards the shortest path, which is holding the elections, before completing the adequate preparations. Here, many pitfalls emerged, especially the issue of Jerusalem,” Maliki told Asharq Al-Awsat.

Asked about his European tour and Moscow discussions, the Palestinian foreign minister said that a number of issues were on the agenda, underlining the importance of communication with Russia, especially with regards to Israel’s violations.

“We are counting on Moscow to pressure the Israeli side to stop these ongoing violations, as well as to compel Tel Aviv to abide by the signed agreements that guarantee the holding of Palestinian elections on all territories, including those under Area C, which comprise Jerusalem,” Maliki said.

He continued: “We also rely on a Russian role to influence Israel in the course of advancing the political process, and we support the Russian efforts within the framework of reviving the work of the International Quartet and the invitation made by Minister Sergei Lavrov to hold a meeting of the international group at the ministerial level.”

On whether he was optimistic about efforts to revive the international quartet, Maliki noted a change in the US position after US President Joe Biden assumed office. He said that the quartet held two meetings at the delegates’ level, including one upon an American request.

“Now Lavrov is talking about calling for a meeting at the ministerial level, and this is important. Maturing ideas and restoring confidence between the parties is required. For us, there is no alternative to this framework, because it is the official context adopted within UN Security Council Resolution 1515,” the minister remarked.

Asked whether there was a clear Palestinian plan to pressure Israel at the international level, Maliki said: “The moment the international community is able to oblige Israel to implement its pledges, we will move immediately to set a new date for the elections.”

“We are not trying to evade the elections. In fact, it was President Abbas who launched the idea before the United Nations General Assembly in 2017… At the same time, we have a second option to adress the situation, which President Abbas expressed by calling for the formation of a national unity government based on the principles of the Palestinian Liberation Organization,” he stated.

Maliki explained that the proposed national unity government would work on two tracks. First, strengthening the Palestinian movement and ensuring the mobilization of a supportive international position to escalate pressure on Israel on elections, and second, working to dismantle the foundations of the Palestinian division, its institutions, and its elements.

“Such a national framework will have the ingredients for success in both tracks,” he emphasized.



Russian Official to Asharq Al-Awsat: Mining Concessions Dependent on Ukraine Talks Progress

Alexander Ionov, a member of Russia’s Human Rights Council under President Vladimir Putin (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Alexander Ionov, a member of Russia’s Human Rights Council under President Vladimir Putin (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Russian Official to Asharq Al-Awsat: Mining Concessions Dependent on Ukraine Talks Progress

Alexander Ionov, a member of Russia’s Human Rights Council under President Vladimir Putin (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Alexander Ionov, a member of Russia’s Human Rights Council under President Vladimir Putin (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Amid statements made by US President Donald Trump regarding the future of agreements brokered by Riyadh over the Russia-Ukraine crisis, a Russian official has expressed Moscow's readiness to make concessions on certain raw materials and mining activities under US negotiation.

However, the official linked these concessions to the outcomes of talks in Riyadh.

Alexander Ionov, a member of Russia’s Human Rights Council under President Vladimir Putin, revealed that the Russian side supports establishing relations with the US.

According to Ionov, Russia is willing to make concessions on certain raw materials and mining activities, but everything depends on the negotiations concerning Ukraine.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Ionov pointed out that if progress is made in US-Russia understandings on Ukraine, and results are seen regarding the lifting of sanctions, that could potentially be the key to establishing normal, positive relations.

However, so far, Trump’s rhetoric remains purely political, with no concrete steps taken.

Regarding the potential inclusion of European Union countries in Ukraine-related negotiations at some stage, Ionov said that the negotiations are progressing, but the Ukrainian side is seeking to garner European support and set its own terms, which conflict with the views of both Russia and the US.

The White House is frustrated with Kyiv’s rhetoric, and Trump’s team is exerting significant pressure.

Ionov continued to say that everyone is waiting for the Black Sea agreement, reached by the Russian and US delegations, to come into effect.

However, it’s clear that this deal will only be effective after a ceasefire. In the meantime, Kyiv is losing territory, while Russia has liberated the Kursk region.

According to Ionov, European countries are eager to join the negotiation process, but for obvious reasons, they cannot be full participants. They support the Ukrainian scenario of autonomy, which means maintaining Ukraine’s territory as it stood in 1991.

He pointed out that leaders from many countries, especially France and the UK, have called for NATO peacekeeping forces to be deployed in Ukraine.

This is unacceptable to Russia, affirmed Ionov.

In general, we see an aggressive stance from European leaders who are willing to continue investing in this direction.

Ionov believes that US President Donald Trump wants to expedite the signing of a peace agreement on the Ukraine conflict, as he sees it as part of his election campaign.

However, the EU and Ukraine are slowing down the process, coupled with significant tensions in negotiations between the US and Russian delegations, with little progress made.

On the effectiveness of sanctions imposed on Russia, Ionov argued that Trump should find the real culprit in this whole matter, rather than threaten to impose restrictions on Russian oil.

In general, this will not have much impact on Russia’s economy, as the main consumers of Russian raw materials are not in the West, but in the East, confirmed Ionov.

Additionally, Russia has much greater influence over OPEC than the US. Saudi Arabia is actively cooperating with Russia and Venezuela on the oil market, and the US can do little about it at this point.

In reality, the Russian side supports building relations with the US, and it is willing to make concessions on certain raw materials and mining activities. But everything depends on the negotiations concerning Ukraine.

As for Saudi- Russian relations, Ionov reaffirmed that Russia engages with the Saudi people with warmth and kindness. Much work is being done at the official level, as Saudi Arabia is a key partner for Russia in the Middle East, he added.

Russian-Saudi cooperation shows a shared effort in developing the regional security framework, as well as advancing projects in humanitarian cooperation.

Ionov hoped the Kingdom will continue its efforts in developing joint energy projects with Russia and will participate in the BRICS alliance.