Russian President Vladimir Putin has met visiting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas as Moscow seeks a bigger role in the Mideast peace process.

Meeting with Abbas at his presidential residence, Putin said Russia appreiates Plaestine's unrelenting efforts towards mid-east peace.

"You came in a difficult moment. The situation is difficult but we are seeing that you and Israeli Prime Minister (Ehud) Olmert are making joint efforts aimed at achieving movement forward; we welcome and support that."

Russia will host a conference in June as a follow-up to the summit held in Annapolis, Maryland in November, and Putin's talks with Abbas are part of the preparations.

Abbas said that he believes that a Moscow conference will be successful and help achieve progress in the Middle East settlement.

Meeting Putin was the last appointment on Abbas' three-day trip to Russia. Abbas has appealed for greater urgency to settle the Middle Eastern conflict by the end of the year.

Russia is a member of the Quartet, along with the United States, United Nations and the European Union. These international brokers are trying to negotiate a Mideast peace deal.