The killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was intended to prolong the Gaza conflict, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas told Russia's state news agency, adding that he will discuss the regional crisis with President Vladimir Putin in Moscow.

RIA, citing a diplomatic source, said Abbas will come on a long-expected visit to Moscow on Aug. 12-14.

In an interview published by state news agency RIA on Tuesday, Abbas said he considers Haniyeh's assassination "a cowardly act and a dangerous development in Israeli politics".