A senior Hamas official in Gaza said the group's leaders will travel to Moscow if they receive a formal invitation.
"[We] care about relations with all countries of the international community and of the region. Therefore, we would be delighted to visit Russia and to hold talks and consultations with the Russian president and government," Ismail Haniyah said.
Meanwhile, an Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman said Israel would not negotiate with Hamas until the group recognizes Israel's right to exist, renounces terror, and accepts the Middle East peace process.
And the top U.S. diplomat for the Middle East, David Welch, said Washington wants any government that meets Palestinians to stress international mediators' conditions for dealing with Hamas.
In London last month, the Quartet of Middle East mediators called on Hamas to renounce violence and recognize Israel. The Quartet includes Russia, the United States, the European Union, and the United Nations.
Hamas has rejected the demand.
(AFP, Reuters, AP)
