Recognition of Israel by Hamas will never be an option, but long-term quiet is possible if Israel meets a series of demands, according to Hamas leader-in-exile Khaled Ma’shal, who spoke during a joint news conference with Russian Foreign Minister Serge Lavrov in Moscow on Tuesday. Ma’shal and other Hamas spokesmen speaking in the Gaza Strip reiterated the Hamas position that it was willing to consider a ‘hudna‘ – a unilaterally determined cease-fire – [see below] of between 15 and 20 years once Israel agreed to the "establishment of a Palestinian state on 1967 borders, the return of the refugees and the release of the prisoners." For his part, Lavrov signaled trouble for America‘s Mideast policy. The Russian foreign minister said his country supported the new Palestinian unity government being formed and that it would "encourage the international community to lift the embargo." The U.S. has remained adamant that the boycott remain in place until the Hamas-led government recognizes Israel, renounces violence and accepts agreements signed by previous governments. Lavrov did say that Ma’shal pledged to end the firing of Qassam rockets into Israel from the Gaza Strip.