The moribund Middle East peace process would stand a better chance if Russia plays a greater role, President Vladimir Putin said in an interview published in Paris Thursday.
"Russia being co-sponsor of the peace process with the United States, we consider that a greater role for Moscow could only help," Putin said in an interview with the French newspaper Le Figaro.
"It's the same with the European Union. It should be more closely associated with the peace process," Putin added days before a visit here next week.
Russia and the United States have co-sponsored the peace process since late 1990.
Putin said that the "danger is considerable" given the current violence in the Middle East.
"The Middle East is our neighbor, we have interests. It is therefore impossible for us to remain indifferent.
"There is no new solution to be invented; the nature of an agreement was fixed a long time ago through United Nations' resolutions," he said.
Putin affirmed, however, that Russia had "changed its foreign policy principles. We no longer seek to impose our wishes far away.
"We remain prepared to take part in international affairs on a democratic basis. But we do not wish to become involved in every conflict. We have enough problems at home," the Russian president added – PARIS (AFP)
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