The Palestinian president then added he is “happy and satisfied” with Russia’s support of the Palestinians. “Russia stands by justice and international law and that is enough for us,” he said.

Behind the scenes: Two U.S. sources briefed on the issue told me Biden administration officials were furious and made it clear to Abbas’ advisers.

Abbas’ remarks came a week after his de facto number two Hussein al-Sheikh was hosted at the White House by national security adviser Jake Sullivan. Al-Sheikh also met with deputy secretary of state Wendy Sherman and several other U.S. officials.

[“Russia stands by justice and international law” is one of the more hilarious claims made by Abbas in his career … especially while Putin’s losing a war of territorial expansion he started with Ukraine. That’s clearly meant as an insult to Biden, and it follows others from the Saudis. — Ed]