Russia to continue dialogue with Hamas - Formin

MOSCOW, May 15 (Reuters) Russia will continue a dialogue with the militant Palestinian group Hamas that has put it at odds with Western governments, a senior foreign policy official today said, local news agencies reported.

But Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Saltanov was quoted as urging Hamas to take steps to accommodate international demands, including recognising Israel and renouncing violence.

''The dialogue with Hamas has been established and it continues,'' Itar-Tass news agency quoted Saltanov as saying.

The official was briefing reporters after Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas met Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Black Sea resort of Sochi.

He said Abbas had not made any specific requests for aid to relieve the Palestinian Authority's financial problems, and that Russia hoped Israel's government would agree to Palestinian offers to resume peace talks. Russia has given Palestinians million in emergency aid, bypassing the Hamas-led government.

Russia received Hamas leaders soon after the group formed a new Palestinian government in March. Hamas won Palestinian elections in January.

In doing so, Russia broke ranks with other major powers who are isolating the group unless it rejects violence, recognises Israel and accepts existing peace deals.

Saltanov did not give any details of any further meetings planned between Russian and Hamas officials.

''Negotiations with this movement are complex ... since Hamas must also take its own steps,'' Saltanov said, referring to the major powers' conditions for resuming contacts with Hamas.

Saltanov said Russia was pleased by Abbas's ''decisiveness'' to pursue peace talks with Israel, which have been frozen since an uprising in the West Bank and Gaza began in 2000.

''We hope the Israeli government will likewise take steps in that direction,'' Interfax news agency quoted Saltanov as saying.

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