MOSCOW – Hamas has pledged to end missile attacks and violence against Israel, Russia’s foreign minister said yesterday, but the radical Palestinian group’s spiritual leader struck a less conciliatory note, saying it was not ready to recognize Israel.

With Russia markedly increasing its efforts in Middle East peacemaking, Khaled Mashaal traveled to Moscow for the second time in a year – amid deep Israeli consternation – in a visit that reflected the Kremlin’s position that negotiations, rather than sanctions, are the best way to deal with Hamas.

Russia has been more positive than Washington and the European Union about the recent power-sharing arrangement between Hamas and Fatah. And in remarks before his meeting with Mashaal, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov called for international support for the arrangement and for lifting the financial-aid blockade of the Palestinian Authority.

He indicated that Russia’s support for the power-sharing deal did not mean it was stepping back from the demands of the Quartet of Mideast peace brokers. The group – Russia, the United States, the United Nations and the European Union – has said recognizing Israel is a key condition, along with renouncing violence, for resuming aid.

“The advice to Hamas, which was given today to Mashaal, is to continue in the direction of the principles of the international Quartet, which includes the recognition of Israel,” he said.

Lavrov called Mashaal’s meetings “productive” and he said Mashaal had given assurances that Hamas would halt the missile attacks and other violence.

“We think that Israel must refrain from the use of force on the Palestinians’ territory, and of course Hamas must use all the authority it has on the Palestinian territories to stop the firing of Kassam missiles at Israel,” Lavrov told a news conference after meeting Mashaal.

“We have received confirmation that such steps will be taken,” he said.

At a separate news conference, Mashaal said the group was not ready to recognize Israel.

“First of all, Israel has to end its occupation of Palestinian territory and put an end to the suffering of the Palestinian people,” Mashaal said when asked about the recognition issue. “When Israel does that, the Palestinian people will make their position clear.”