In an interview with the Russian daily Vremya Novostei, Lavrov warned that efforts to isolate Hamas, including cutting aid to the Palestinian National Authority, would be fruitless.

Hamas, which swept the January parliamentary elections and is forming a government, would most likely win another landslide victory in new elections or bring to power extremist forces within the group, leading to chaos in the Palestinian territories, Lavrov said.

The group, sworn to Israel's destruction, has been under mounting pressure to renounce violence, recognize Israel and accept previous agreements with the Jewish state, including the roadmap peace plan proposed by the international quartet mediating for peace in the Middle East.

The quartet comprises the United Nations, the United States, the European Union and Russia.

As part of its Middle East diplomacy, Russia hosted a Hamas delegation earlier this month for talks aimed at persuading Hamas to change stance.

Lavrov said Hamas leaders had been sending "positive signals" with regard to a settlement of the Middle East conflict envisaged in the roadmap plan.

"These signals continue ... The point is that Hamas should become an equal partner for peace talks," he said.

In a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin followingthe Hamas visit, Israeli Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Russia's talks with Hamas were a mistake. Putin, however, insisted Moscow's policy was to negotiate with Hamas and press it to heed the international calls.