The White House says Russian President Vladimir Putin telephoned President Bush Saturday afternoon to discuss Russia's recent meetings with a delegation from the radical Palestinian group, Hamas and Iran's top nuclear negotiator.
A White House spokesman, Scott McClellan said Mr. Bush emphasized the need for Hamas to recognize the state of Israel and renounce violence, steps the Hamas delegation refused to take in it's discussions with Russia this week.
The White House and the Kremlin also said that the two presidents discussed Russia's continuing conversations with Iran about that country's nuclear ambitions. However, neither statement gave specifics about what was said on the subject.
Earlier in the day, the leader of Hamas' six-member delegation to Russia praised Moscow for hosting the talks, saying Russia can be a major force in promoting stability in the Middle East.
Hamas won a majority of seats in the Palestinian Authority Parliament in late January.
The United States, European Union and Israel all classify Hamas as a terrorist organization, but Russia does not.
A White House spokesman, Scott McClellan said Mr. Bush emphasized the need for Hamas to recognize the state of Israel and renounce violence, steps the Hamas delegation refused to take in it's discussions with Russia this week.
The White House and the Kremlin also said that the two presidents discussed Russia's continuing conversations with Iran about that country's nuclear ambitions. However, neither statement gave specifics about what was said on the subject.
Earlier in the day, the leader of Hamas' six-member delegation to Russia praised Moscow for hosting the talks, saying Russia can be a major force in promoting stability in the Middle East.
Hamas won a majority of seats in the Palestinian Authority Parliament in late January.
The United States, European Union and Israel all classify Hamas as a terrorist organization, but Russia does not.