September 13, 2011
Russia says it backs Palestinian U.N. statehood bid
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Russia will support the Palestinian Authority’s statehood bid at the United Nations next week.
Russia’s ambassador to the U.N., Vitaly Churkin, made the announcement Monday, saying Russia would vote in favor of the Palestinian state in the Security Council, where as a permanent member Russia holds a veto, and in the General Assembly, where a majority of states have already said they would support the bid.
“We will endorse any proposals submitted by the Palestinians,” Churkin reportedly said in a television interview, according to Russia’s Interfax news agency.
Russia joins China, which also wields a veto in the Security Council, in its support of a Palestinian state. The United States has said it would use its veto to prevent Security Council action.
