ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (AP) - President Vladimir Putin said Monday that Russia would consider contributing troops to an international peacekeeping force in the Middle East if the United Nations approves its deployment. "So far there is no decision yet on sending peacekeeping troops. When there will be a decision we will consider whether to take part," Putin said.
Putin said he was not certain that the return of three abducted Israeli soldiers would stop the fighting in the Middle East. Israel is fighting Hezbollah militants operating in Lebanon and Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip.
"I don't think the situation has gotten out of control, but I don't have the certainty that the return of the soldiers will stop the conflict," Putin said.
Putin spoke at the end of a summit of the Group of Eight industrial nations. The G-8 leaders on Sunday called for the Israeli soldiers abducted in Gaza and Lebanon to be released.
Their statement also called for the shelling of Israeli territory to end; Israeli military operations to cease and Israeli forces to withdraw early from Gaza; and for arrested Palestinian ministers and legislators to be released.
