A leading Palestinian source told Asharq Al-Awsat on Sunday that President Mahmoud Abbas plans to convince Russian President Vladimir Putin to call for the launch of an international peace conference that could produce a multilateral international approach capable to sponsor the political operation. Abbas is expected to meet with Putin on Monday to ask his Russian counterpart to step into this process. According to the source, Abbas bets on the Russian presence as a sole competitor to the US in the region, and on Moscow’s advanced relationship with Tel Aviv, including their joint and mutual interests. The Palestinian President is also looking for a state capable to affect Israel and the big powers and capable to oppose the US, particularly after Abbas decided to replace Washingtons role as mediator when President Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as Israels capital in December. On Sunday, Abbas diplomatic advisor Majdi Khalidi told official Palestinian radio station Voice of Palestine that the president would meet with Putin in Sochi Monday to discuss the US decision ahead of his expected trip to New York, where the Palestinian President will address the 15-member Security Council next February 20. "The Palestinian side insists on forming a multilateral approach to overlook the peace process with the Israeli side" in an attempt to disregard the US from its former role in the peace process, he said. "Russia will have an important role in this matter, including launching an international peace conference and several important issues that require consultation with all relevant parties until we achieve the interest of the Palestinian people," Khalidi added. Palestinian Ambassador to Moscow Abdel Hafiz Nofal told the official PA news agency Wafa on Sunday, “We are betting on a larger and wider role for Russia in the peace process.”