MOSCOW, June 06. /ITAR-TASS/. New settlements on the West Bank and in East Jerusalem threaten prospects for a two-state solution to the Palestinian problem, the Russian Foreign Ministry says.

“On June 5, the Israeli Ministry of Construction announced a tender for building new settlements on the West Bank and in East Jerusalem. Moscow voices concern over Israel’s step,” the ministry says.

Israel’s new settlement policy “poses a direct threat to prospects for the Palestinian resolution. We believe that the settlement policy on the occupied Palestinian territories is illegal and should be stopped. We confirm that it is necessary to refrain from any unilateral actions that are aimed at undermining the peace settlement”, it says.

“We believe that Israel’s refusal to continue the settlement policy would invigorate the negotiating process and create more favorable conditions for resuming the peace process,” the ministry says.

“Russia will actively support the creation of an independent Palestinian state,” it says.