Putin praises Palestinian position

By Agencies in Bethlehem, West Bank | China Daily | Updated: 2012-06-27 08:11

Visiting Russian President Vladimir Putin praised his Palestinian counterpart on Tuesday for what he said was a "responsible" position in negotiations with Israel, which was frozen for nearly four years, and said Russia has no problem recognizing a Palestinian state.

Putin also offered veiled criticism of Israel, saying unilateral actions - an apparent reference to continued Israeli settlement expansion on war-won land - is not constructive, according The Associated Press.

Russia's President Vladimir Putin lights a candle as he visits the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem's Old City on Tuesday. Alexsey Druginyn / Ria Novosti Via Reuters

Putin spoke at the end of a visit to the biblical West Bank town of Bethlehem, with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas by his side. Putin inaugurated a Russian cultural and language center in Bethlehem and toured the church built over the traditional birth grotto of Jesus.