Prime Minister Dr. Mohammad Shtayyeh discussed on Friday over the phone with Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov the global response to COVID-19 and the threat of Israel's annexation plans - called for an Early Russian Intervention.

Dr. Shtayyeh explained how the formation of an Israeli government coalition that endorses the annexation of parts of the West Bank would lead to undermining UN resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative and to ending the two-state solution. In this context, the two sides talked about holding a session for the Quartet to discuss the related Palestinian proposal for an international peace conference based on UN resolutions and international legitimacy.

The two sides also discussed the global response to the spread of COVID-19 and its implications on various aspects and measures taken by both the Russian and Palestinian governments to confront it and reduce its effects. Dr. Shtayyeh said: "Despite our early response with measures that curbed the pandemic spread, the reality of the occupation and the denial of our right to exercise sovereignty over our lands and borders have been imposing additional challenges that are limiting our control over it." In this regard, they discussed Russian assistance in support of the Palestinian response plan to COVID-19, to include providing medicines and equipment, and preparing the health sector in Gaza and the West Bank, including Jerusalem.

The two parties asserted the necessity of restoring the Palestinian national unity, noting that COVID-19 pandemic and Israeli elections have hindered the holding of Palestinian elections, which constitutes a gateway to ending the division.