Publication

This paper examines Russia’s invitation to Hamas' Palestinian leadership to visit Moscow in March 2006 and argues that this gesture revealed a difference between Russian policy on the Middle East Peace Process (MEPP) and that of the US, EU and UN. The author explains that this difference should not be overstated since Russia also urges Hamas to renounce violence and recognize Israel. The author concludes that if Hamas moderates its policy, Moscow has scope for enhancing its role in the MEPP and in the region in general. However, the author argues that the US will remain the main player in the MEPP.