Russian President Vladimir Putin told Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Tuesday he hoped economic sanctions against the Palestinian government would be lifted soon, according to Reuters. Putin met Abbas in Jordan on the last leg of a Middle East tour of three U.S. allies that demonstrated Russia's regional ambitions and its differences with U.S. policies. "We hope that very soon conditions will be created for lifting the blockade. It will be lifted to allow you to take the next step towards full-scale settlement," Putin was heard telling Abbas at the start of their talks at Amman's airport. He also told Abbas that it would be "very useful" if an Israeli soldier captured in Gaza last June was freed. Russia is a member of the Middle East Quartet that includes the United Nations, the European Union and the United States.
