Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that his country is happy with talks with Hamas that won elections in the Palestinian Territories. Russia said that Hamas is willing to honor peace commitment with Israel if that country shows goodwill. Hamas is willing to honor the four principles of the West Asia peace process-- renunciation of violence, accepting previous Israeli-Palestinian agreements, recognition of Israel's right to existence, and creation of an independent Palestinian state. Hamas said that the only obstacle to peace is Israel's "aggressive policy" and demanded that they leave the occupied territories. Israel has instituted sanctions on Hamas by denying it monies due through customs collection and much of Western non-humanitarian aid has virtually stopped.