Foreign Minister Lavrov looks on as Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni speaks to reporters in Moscow (ITAR-TASS)
July 3, 2006 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov called today on Palestinians to release two captured Israeli soldiers and stop attacking Israeli cities.
Lavrov, who held talks in Moscow today with Israel's Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, also has called on Israel to exercise restraint.
Livni said she had hesitated to come to Russia at such a tense time, but said Israel believed Russia's role "can be very important" in helping solve the crisis.
However, Livni expressed Israel's displeasure with Russia's having hosted a high-level Hamas delegation earlier this year.
(AP)