Putin to meet with Hamas leaders

According to Ha'aretz, Vladimir Putin has said that he will be inviting Hamas leaders to meet with him in Moscow. The Israelis are none to happy about this:

Minister Meir Sheetrit accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of "stabbing Israel in the back" for saying he planned to invite Hamas leaders to visit, and said Moscow should not play any role in Israeli-Palestinian negotiations.

Russia "cannot fill any position regarding negotiations with the Palestinians" unless it changes its position on Hamas, Sheetrit told Israel Radio.

Hamas official Ismail Haniyeh said Hamas leaders would visit Russia if they receive an official invitatation.

But Sheetrit said no such invitation should be forthcoming until Hamas renounces its charter, which calls for Israel's destruction.

The UN General Secretary is also keen to give Hamas a chance.