Russian President Vladimir Putin met here on Thursday visiting Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas on bilateral relations and the current developments of the Middle East region. During the meeting, both leaders also exchanged views on several regional and international issues of mutual interest, the Russian presidential media office said in a statement. Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, during a meeting with Abbas, reiterated his country's support for efforts to create a Palestinian state. He said Russia and Palestine are tied with special bonds of friendship, while stressing the significance of exerting more efforts to develop bilateral economic relations.