Mikhail Kamynin, the Spokesman of Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Answers a Media Question Regarding Statement by President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin Concerning Russia's Intention to Soon Invite Hamas Leaders to Moscow

Unofficial translation from Russian

Question: What aims does the Russian side set by intending to have a direct dialogue with Hamas leaders, as President Putin indicated in Madrid?

Answer: Our intention to hold contacts with the representatives of Hamas is dictated, first and foremost, by the striving of Russia to prevent a serious degradation of the situation in Palestinian-Israeli settlement, preserve the prospect of advancing the peace process on the basis of the Road Map, and continue the search of solutions acceptable to the PNA, to Israel and to the international community. In this regard, we proceed from the necessity to respect the choice of the Palestinian people, made as a result of a democratic and legitimate expression of their will.

In the course of planned meetings with the representatives of the Hamas leadership we intend to facilitate practical implementation of the Middle East Quartet's approaches, which were agreed upon at its London meeting on January 30, 2006.

It should be emphasized that our dialogue with Hamas will be held in parallel with the contacts already being conducted by leading regional parties, Egypt in the first place, with this organization. One aim is but one - to convey to the leadership of Hamas a clear and unambiguous signal of the international community that it needs to take responsible decisions meeting the vital interests of the Palestinian people and conducive to the creation of an independent and viable Palestinian state coexisting in peace and security with Israel.

February 9, 2006