Russian President Vladimir Putinon Thursday called on Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon tosupport new Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas.

"There are two approaches -- you can pressure Abbas or you cansupport him. I believe that you (Israel) prefers to press him. TheArab world tells me that Israel is not fulfilling its promises toassist Abbas. Pressure on him will damage Israel and thePalestinians," he warned.

Putin told Sharon he was prepared to help Abbas but not at thecost of Jewish lives.

Putin also urged the Palestinian leadership to dismantlemilitant groups.

"Without the Palestinians meeting all their commitments, therewill never be diplomatic progress," Putin said.As for the peace meeting proposal cold-shouldered by Israel,Putin tried to play down his offer made Wednesday during his stopin Cairo.

"We wanted to suggest a professional meeting of experts toadvance the process and in any case, I did not mean a forum withoutIsraeli participation," Putin said.

Sharon told Putin that an international summit will only takeplace during the second stage of the implementation of the roadmapand no earlier.

The Russian president is scheduled to leave Israel Friday andhead for the West Bank city of Ramallah where he will meet with PNAChairman Mahmoud Abbas and visit Yasser Arafat's grave.

Source: Xinhua