MOSCOW, Jan. 31 (Xinhuanet) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday urged the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) to renounce violence and recognize the state of Israel, but he warned against cutting aid to the Palestinians.

    Speaking at his annual press conference in the Kremlin, Putin said Hamas "must put an end to its radical rhetoric, recognize Israel and establish contact with the international community. We urge Hamas to opt for such systematic work."

    But he also warned that the refusal to provide assistance to the Palestinian people would be a mistake.

    In a surprising election victory for Hamas, Hamas won 74 seats in the 132-member Palestinian legislative council while the mainstream Fatah movement secured only 45 seats, according to official results of the Palestinian parliamentary elections.

    Putin described Hamas's victory in the vote as "a strong blow" to American diplomacy in the Middle East.

    Russia is a member of the quartet mediating for peace in the Middle East which also includes the United Nations, the United States and the European Union.

    In a statement issued last Thursday, the quartet called on Hamas to renounce terror, disarm and recognize the existence of Israel. Enditem