BREAKING NEWS

Putin: Palestinian leader Abbas invited to BRICS summit in Russia next week

Russia has invited the president of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, to take part in a BRICS summit in Kazan next week, President Vladimir Putin said on Friday.

Putin also reaffirmed Russia's support for a two-state solution in the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians and said the issue would be discussed at next week's summit.

The BRICS grouping has expanded to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates as well as Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.