Saturday, July 15 2006 10:57 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

St. Petersburg (Russia): Russia today (July 15, 2006) urged Israel and Lebanese militant group Hezbollah to put an immediate end to hostilities and bloodshed and said the flare up in violence in West Asia would be discussed at the G-8 summit beginning here tomorrow.

"This should become the starting point for resolving all other problems," Putin said.

Putin condemned hostage-taking as means of resolving problems, as also the disproportionate use of force in response to such actions.

Putin said he planned to discuss the issue with US President George W Bush, who has arrived here, and with other G-8 leaders tomorrow.

"We will urge all the sides involved in the conflict to stop bloodshed immediately," Putin said speaking before the Junior-8, uniting the youth of the world's eight wealthiest nations.

The leaders of the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, Italy, Germany, Canada and France will be joining Putin for Russia's debut G-8 summit in the country's second largest city on July 15-17.

On Sunday they will be joined by the leaders of outreach countries including Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Chinese President Hu Jintao.