And so begins, or quickens, the legitimization of Hamas. Putin, of course, would just like to see Russia restored as a world power, a global counterweight to the United States. He can’t imagine that cozying up to exponents of the global jihad could have any negative consequences for him. The Byzantine Emperor John VI Cantacuzenes, whom I discuss in my book The Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam (and the Crusades), no doubt thought the same thing.
From Reuters, with thanks to Sr. Soph:
MADRID (Reuters) – Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday he would invite Hamas leaders to Moscow, opening a crack in a wall of U.S.-led opposition to dealing with the Palestinian election winner until it recognized Israel.
Ismail Haniyeh, a senior Hamas official said in Gaza that leaders of the group, whose charter calls for Israel’s destruction, “would be delighted” to visit Russia if Putin tendered a formal invitation.