Suspending aid to the Palestinians following Hamas's electoral success would be a major error, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in an interview which Spanish media published Wednesday. "It would be a big mistake to suspend aid to the Palestinians," said Putin, who was set to begin a two-day state visit to Spain on Wednesday. "When we talk about the causes and roots of terrorism we refer to social injustice, misery, unemployment. And if we stop helping simple Palestinian citizens, are we going to eradicate terrorism and criminality? Of course not," said Putin.Both the United States and the European Union have warned that aid to the Palestinians may be cut unless Hamas dissolves its armed wing and recognises Israel. Putin noted that Hamas, "an organisation considered as terrorist by the whole European community, has assumed power in legitimate fashion."