"The fact that you are now free is a result of Russia's many years of stable relations with the Palestinian people, with the representatives of different organisations," Russian news agencies quoted Putin as telling former hostage Alexander Trufanov and members of his family. "Here we have to offer a word of gratitude to the leadership and to the political wing of Hamas for a gesture made to us in carrying out this humanitarian act," the agencies said he told the late-night Kremlin meeting.