Meeting in Sochi marks first in-person talks between the 2 world leaders.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has hosted new Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett for the pair’s first in-person assembly, with talks targeted on Iran and the scenario in Syria.
Welcoming Bennett at first of their assembly on Friday in Russia’s Black Sea resort of Sochi, Putin hailed Russian-Israeli ties as “unique” and praised the “very deep connection between our peoples”.
Russia and Israel have developed shut political, financial and cultural bonds. They have cooperated over the struggle in Syria, throughout which Moscow teamed up with Tehran to shore up Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s rule.
“We will … talk about the situation in Syria, and the efforts to halt the Iranian military nuclear programme,” Bennett mentioned in Sochi.
Putin mentioned that Russia, which launched its army marketing campaign in Syria in 2015, has been “making efforts” to revive the nation’s statehood and strengthen it.
There was “common ground and opportunities for cooperation” with Israel in regards to the scenario there, he mentioned, particularly “in terms of the fight against terrorism”.
Bennett was named Israel’s new premier on June 13, changing former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Bennett has mentioned his politics are additional to the appropriate than his predecessor’s.
Syria, Iran
Israel views Iranian entrenchment on its northern frontier as a purple line and has repeatedly struck what it says are Iran-linked services and weapons convoys destined for Lebanese Hezbollah.
The Iran-backed group has fought alongside Syrian authorities forces within the nation’s civil struggle.
Russia and Israel established a army hotline to coordinate air power operations over Syria to keep away from clashes, however in 2018, their ties have been examined by the downing of a Russian warplane by Syrian forces following an Israeli air raid.
The forces mistook a Russian reconnaissance aircraft for Israeli jets. All 15 members of the Russian crew died.
Meanwhile, Moscow has tried to keep up pleasant ties with Iran, Israel’s regional rival.
Russia is without doubt one of the worldwide events that negotiated a 2015 nuclear cope with Tehran. The deal fell aside after then-President Donald Trump withdrew in 2018.
US President Joe Biden is now attempting to revive the cope with different worldwide powers – a step that Israel opposes.
‘Deep connection’
Putin stored shut a private relationship with Netanyahu, who repeatedly visited Russia throughout his 12 years in energy.
On Friday, he pointed to Moscow’s “business-like and trusting relationship” with Netanyahu’s authorities and expressed hope that Bennett’s administration would pursue a “policy of continuity” in Russian-Israeli relations.
Bennett informed Putin that Israel considered him as “a true friend of the Jewish people” and emphasised the “deep connection” between their two international locations.
He extolled the contribution made by his nation’s a million Russian audio system and praised Putin for bringing Israel and Russia nearer throughout his 20-year rule.
Bennett additionally hailed the Soviet position in defeating the Nazis in World War II and talked a couple of new museum in Israel that honours Jewish troopers who fought in allied armies, primarily the Red Army. Putin cherishes his nation’s decisive contribution to victory in that struggle.