Putin: Not all peaceful means to resolve Middle East conflict used

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“Unfortunately, discussion hardly ever goes smoothly at G8 meetings. But we are meeting to work, to discuss current world problems and to look for joint decisions in our joint endeavors,” President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin said at a press conference in Strelnya (St. Petersburg) in the framework of G8 summit convening these days in the city, REGNUM corresponded reported.

“The Russian side regrets that it had been exactly in the run-up to the G8 summit that the situation in the Middle East aggravated. But however complex are the issues involved, a lot of effort has to be exerted in order to use the peaceful means,” Putin said. President of Russia is convinced that “not all the peaceful means have been used.” “Apart from releasing the abducted military, Israel also pursued other goals, more extensive plans,” he continued, adding that, in any case, such problems have to be resolved in a peaceful way.

The G8 summit convened in St. Petersburg on July 15. In the coming days, leaders of Russia, USA, Japan, Great Britain, Germany, Italy, France, and Canada, as well as the Chairman of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso and heads of invited states will hold a number of sessions and bilateral meetings. Besides, a meeting of G8 leaders with the participants of the “Youth G8” is planned for July 16.