Russian President Vladimir Putin met a Russian-Israeli man freed by the Palestinian militant group Hamas after more than a year in captivity and promised to help free other hostages.

The Kremlin leader thanked Hamas for releasing the man and said it was the result of Russia's strong relations with the Palestinian people.

"Thank God you are alive and well and you are here," Putin told Alexander Trufanov, 29, late Wednesday. Trufanov said he had been held prisoner for 498 days.

Trufanov, identified by Israel as Sasha........

© Al Monitor