Hamas’ political leader on Friday rejected any discussion about the militant group’s refusal to recognize Israel, dealing a setback to Moscow’s efforts to persuade it to soften its stance. “The issue of recognition (of Israel) is a decided issue,” said Hamas’ exiled political leader, Khaled Mashaal, upon arrival in Moscow for talks with Russian officials. “We don’t intend to recognize Israel.” Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov was scheduled to receive Mashaal in Hamas’ highest-profile foreign visit since winning Palestinian parliamentary elections in January. The Hamas delegation is set to have talks with a Lavrov’s deputy, Alexander Saltanov, as well as Russian lawmakers, and meet Russian Orthodox Patriarch Alexy II. Full Story