MOSCOW - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Monday asked Russian President Dmitry Medvedev to tell Hamas that Israel will not sweeten its offer for kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit.

Meanwhile, Medvedev told his Israeli visitor that Russia will hold off on delivering an advanced air defense system, the S-300, to Iran.

Netanyahu asked Medvedev to tell Hamas that Israel wants to make a deal for Shalit, but will not agree to release more Palestinian prisoners than it has already. The Russian president offered Moscow's help in the talks.
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A senior source in Netanyahu's entourage said the Israeli leader urged Medvedev not to legitimize Hamas. "We are not pleased with your relations with Hamas," he quoted Netanyahu as telling Medvedev. "But since they exist, we can relay messages on humanitarian issues. Tell Hamas they won't get a better offer from us on the [Shalit] deal."