Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin on Tuesday, the fourth time the leaders have met in the past nine months. The meeting marked the 25th anniversary of the resumption of diplomatic ties between Israel and Russia. Netanyahu and Putin discussed a variety of issues, including joint national security interests and the situation in Syria, as well as further developing the regional coordination between the Israeli and Russian militaries, which has proved solid. Other issues discussed included energy, agricultural, and tourism ties, and the pensions agreement signed between the two countries. Following the meeting, Netanyahu called it "comprehensive and productive. We signed several important bilateral agreements in the fields of energy, agriculture, and pensions and social insurance rights. This is an asset." Speaking at a joint press conference with Putin after the meeting, Netanyahu commented on the anniversary of the resumption of Israel-Russia diplomatic ties, saying, "Today we are celebrating 25 years since the resumption of diplomatic relations between our two countries. ... There was a strong bridge for the resumption of relations and the strength of feeling between the two peoples. We will never forget the role of the Russian people and the Red Army in its effort in the east, in tandem with the efforts in the west, to defeat the Nazis. "Today we marked the first 25 years of the resumption of relations, but we focused mainly on looking forward to the next 25 years. We are cooperating in the fields of technology, innovation and high-tech, on economic matters, trade, tourism, and culture. Today we have decided that there should be focal points of cooperation. Two representatives will be responsible for links regarding innovation and technology between Israel and Russia. "We also discussed the future of the coordination between our militaries in the region, which has worked very well, in preventing confrontations and in ensuring that we work against the same elements that endanger us all. And indeed we spoke at length about our common challenges, those of all civilized countries, such as radical Islam and the terrorism that it spreads." Netanyahu further thanked the Russian president for the warm welcome he received in Moscow. Russia's relations with Israel developed "rapidly and constructively," Putin told reporters. "We are formulating future plans with understanding and trust. We discussed what more could be done to boost economic cooperation and promote a free trade zone between our two countries. There is good cooperation in the fields of high-tech, pharmaceuticals, and aircraft construction." Commenting on his country's security interests in the region, the Russian president said, "The situation in the Middle East and Syria is not easy. We support a comprehensive, just resolution of the Palestinian conflict. This takes joint efforts, including by the Quartet, and Russia is willing to lend itself to this effort." The Middle East Quartet comprises the United Nations, the United States, the European Union, and Russia. It was established in 2002 as a mediating body to facilitate the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. Putin stressed that Israel and Russia are allies in the war on terror, and that they hold "a multifaceted dialogue based on mutual trust." Ahead of the press conference, Putin surprised Netanyahu with a private tour of the Kremlin, during which the Russian president elaborated on the history of the Kremlin and of some of its halls. On Tuesday evening, the two leaders attended a special concert featuring prominent soloists from the Bolshoi Theater and the Israeli Opera. The Bolshoi orchestra hosted Israeli conductor Omer Wellber for the event. On Tuesday morning, before the meeting with Putin, Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, visited a special Israeli Foreign Ministry interactive exhibition at Moscow's main Manege Exhibition Hall. Titled "Open a Door to Israel," the exhibit aims to introduce "the beautiful side of Israel" to the Russian public. The exhibit features nine doors, which visitors open to see Israeli sites and "participate" in activities in Israel. Netanyahu opened a door "leading" to a Tel Aviv beach, and proceeded to play a virtual paddle ball game with the characters at the beach. "We certainly feel at home. Israel's doors are open to Russia and Russia's doors are open to Israel," Netanyahu said.
Credit: Reuters
At a meeting on Wednesday morning with members of the Jewish community in Moscow, Netanyahu said he and Putin had discussed the situation in Syria and the "ongoing coordination between our militaries to avoid unnecessary friction."
Netanyahu noted that while Israel was not intervening in the Syrian civil war, it would act "to ensure Syria does not become a launch pad for attacks on Israel, whether by Syrian, Iranian, Hezbollah or Islamist forces."
