Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas visited Moscow today to discuss the reawakening Middle East peace process with Russian President Vladimir Putin and other Russian officials today.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told Abbas, 'You are the recognized leader of the Palestinian people and we will actively support you.'

Abbas's meeting with Putin can be beneficial to both parties. For Abbas, it means improving relations with a member of the 'quartet'--one of the four active authors of the 'Road Map' plan for peace in the region. It also gives him additional legitimacy in the eyes of the international community and his own people. For Putin, it increases Moscow's influence in the Middle East which has been on the wane since the Soviet Union disintegrated in over a decade ago.

'There is a historic chance to bring about peace in the region,' Abbas said. 'Russia's support in bilateral relations and in the framework of the quartet will be of decisive importance in establishing a universal and stable peace in the Middle East.'

Putin was also eager to show support for the new Palestinian Authority leader. 'We are ready to cooperate with you and the international community in an active way to resolve these issues,' Putin said to Abbas.

Abbas discussed his concerns for Palestinians and how important peace negotiations will be to them. 'Life in the region goes on, and in Palestine there are many problems that have been waiting to be resolved for decades. We strongly hope that you ... will be able to take steps toward improving the situation in respect to Israel as well as the socioeconomic situation in Palestine.'

Many expect negotiations between the Palestinian Authority and Israel to resume within a few weeks. February 8th has been listed as a possible date for the resumption of high level talks, perhaps even a summit between Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.