The organization is visiting Moscow against the backdrop of a deadlock in peace talks with Israel and bloody inter-factional clashes in Palestinian lands, and in the wake of a series of international meetings on the Middle East conflict.
"The Russian side reaffirmed its position in favor of an inter-Palestinian accord that would heed the declared criteria set by the Quartet of international mediators and in favor of the resumption of the peace process between the Palestinians and Israel on the basis of international law," Russia's Foreign Ministry said following talks between Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Saltanov and Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal.
In Moscow, Hamas members discussed relations with President Mahmoud Abbas-led Fatah movement and ways to restart settlement talks in the region.
Hamas and Fatah agreed to form a power-sharing Cabinet in Mecca two weeks ago, ending weeks of bloody street clashes between their supporters.
Russia, a member of the Quartet that also comprises the United States, the UN and the EU, has tried to forge international support for the initiative and encouraged international donors to resume financial aid, suspended after Hamas radicals came to power in January 2006.
A Quartet meeting in Berlin February 21 and an earlier meeting in Washington failed to bring a coordinated approach to the problem and a decision to resume aid over the U.S. and other countries' doubts surrounding Hamas's refusal to recognize Israel and renounce violence.
Russia's foreign minister said Monday the Quartet would gather again in late March, without specifying a date. Sergei Lavrov added that Russia, the U.S., the UN and the EU would discuss preparations for the meeting in Brussels March 12-13, when the parties would also consider a permanent mechanism to provide aid to the Palestinian government.
Mashaal, who hailed Russia's support for the Palestinian people, said he hoped Moscow would try to prevent further pressure on the Palestinians, which Hamas regarded as an attempt to spark off internal fighting.
He said President Abbas and Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh were on a tour of Arab and European countries at the moment in a bid to secure international backing for the emerging government.
