The outgoing premier is due to hold talks with Russian President Dmitri Medvedev and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov before returning on Tuesday, officials said.

"They have a vested interest in the diplomatic negotiations with the Palestinians and the Syrians, and we have an interest in the security-related issues on the agenda," Olmert told the Yediot Aharonot newspaper.

"An agreement with the Palestinians could be reached by the end of the year," he said, according to the newspaper's website, adding: "This largely depends on the Palestinians' willingness."

Olmert, who stepped down on September 21 but remains at the helm of a transitional government, is expected to discuss with Medvedev the international standoff with Iran over its nuclear drive, officials said.

Both Israel -- widely believed to be the only nuclear armed state in the Middle East -- and its staunch ally the United States accuse Iran of trying to develop atomic weapons, charges Tehran denies.

Israeli officials have also expressed concern at reports that Russia was willing to sell weapons to Syria, a long-time foe of the Jewish state.

During a telephone conversation last month, Olmert told Medvedev it would be a waste for Syria to spend billions of dollars on buying weapons that Israel would eventually destroy, Israeli media reported.

Israel and Syria relaunched indirect peace talks mediated by Turkey in May but a planned fifth round of negotiations in September was postponed.

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