Putin says favors Palestinian independence, peace with Israel

Russia says the "road-map" plan for peace in the Middle East should be followed through to its conclusion, President Vladimir Putin said Thursday.

MOSCOW, April 13 (RIA Novosti) - Russia says the "road-map" plan for peace in the Middle East should be followed through to its conclusion, President Vladimir Putin said Thursday.

Putin said he was in favor of an independent Palestinian state that would coexist peacefully with neighboring Israel.

"We think it is necessary to resume the [Middle East] peace process based on the roadmap, and to reach its final point - the formation of an independent Palestinian state and its peaceful coexistence with Israel," Putin said.

"Russia is ready to help the Palestinian leadership, the Palestinian government and the Palestinian national authority headed by Mahmoud Abbas to reach these goals," he said.