Russia-Palestine relations (21st Century Crisis)

Russia-Palestine relations or Russo-Palestinian relations (Russian: Российско-палестинские отношения, Rossiysko-palestinskiye otnosheniya; Arabic: العلاقات الروسية الفلسطينية) are the bilateral relations between the United Russian Republics and the State of Palestine.

Russia contains an embassy in Ramallah while Palestine contains an embassy in Moscow. Relations between the two date back during the Cold War, in which the Soviet Union supported Palestinian freedom, and was active in helping Palestine gain international recognition. By stationing Soviet troops in Palestine and East Jerusalem after the October 1973 Arab-Israeli war, Palestinian statehood was achieved.

After the fall of the communist regime, modern-day Russia has stood by to remain neutral in disputes between Palestine and Israel, and Russia's warming towards Israel has caused some coolings of relations and souring of view towards Russia. Still, Russian leaders have stated their commitment towards Palestine's statehood and sovereignty, the Palestinian Armed Forces is supplied mainly by Russia, and Russia contains an overseas base in Ramallah. In addition, the Russian Orthodox Church maintains close spiritual ties to Palestinian Greek Orthodox and Arab Orthodox, through East Jerusalem (if considered part of Palestine) - as pilgrimages to Palestine are common. Muslim citizens of Russia, such as those from Chechnya, Dagestan, Crimea and Central Asia also maintain close ties to family living in Palestine, via intermarriage with Palestinians, as well as the tendancy of Muslims to side with Palestine.