Bennett meets Putin in Sochi to debate Iran, Syria

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett met immediately, Oct. 22, in Sochi with Russian President Vladimir Putin. It was their first discuss face-to-face since Bennett took workplace earlier this yr. Bennett arrived to the Russian resort city at 10 a.m. His assembly with Putin was scheduled to take some two hours, however lasted virtually 5. Consequently, Bennett will likely be staying in Russia till the Sabbath is over tomorrow night.

Bennett and Putin had spoken at the least twice on the telephone in latest months — with Putin calling to congratulate Bennett after composing a authorities, and with Bennett calling Putin not too long ago to debate regional points and to congratulate him on his 69th birthday.

Earlier than departing for Russia, Bennett’s workplace stated that talks would deal with a number of strategic points, together with Israeli issues over Iranian navy entrenchment in Syria, Iran and the Iranian nuclear talks. Reviews additionally famous that Moscow is anxious over alleged Israeli assaults in Syria not being coordinated forward of time with Russia. One other problem that was anticipated to come back up on the assembly was the authorized and monetary scenario of the Russian Orthodox Church’s actual estates in Israel.

Bennett’s go to marks not solely the primary face-to-face assembly between the 2 leaders, but additionally celebrates 30 years of bilateral diplomatic relations. Israel determined Oct. 18 to allow vacationers vaccinated with the Russian Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine to enter Israel, though the World Well being Group remains to be accessing the Russian vaccine for emergency use. The choice was perceived in Israel as a diplomatic gesture towards Moscow, and never as a change within the nation’s well being coverage. Following the latest surge in Israel of delta variant circumstances, Bennett was reconsidering this step, as per Oct. 21 reviews.

Talking in entrance of cameras earlier than the assembly, Putin stated, “There are lots of problematic topics, however there are additionally factors of contact and alternatives for cooperation, particularly in relation to preventing terror.” Putin additionally famous that Israel is residence to a really giant Russian-speaking group. He expressed his hope that Bennett’s authorities will proceed the great relations cast with the earlier Israeli authorities, and that development in bilateral commerce will proceed, together with in high-tech.

Bennett stated that he and Putin will discuss “the scenario in Syria and the efforts to cease Iran’s navy nuclear program,” along with financial, technological, scientific and cultural cooperation. “Israel has 1,000,000 ambassadors, 1,000,000 Russian-speaking Israelis, who’re an ideal contribution to Israel’s tradition, in addition to the mentality they carry right here of laborious work, energy, energy,” Bennett stated. The Israeli premier continued that his assembly with the Russian chief is “primarily based on the deep connection between the 2 nations. We see you as an actual good friend of the Jewish individuals.”

Bennett additionally referred to the Pink Military’s function in defeating Nazi Germany. “As a scholar of historical past, one should recognize the braveness in these tough years for all the Russian nation,” Bennett said. He additionally up to date Putin about efforts to assemble a museum in Israel commemorating Jewish troopers who fought in numerous armies throughout World Warfare II, together with in Russia’s Pink Military.

After addressing the cameras, the 2 leaders then continued their dialog in non-public. Solely a Russian translator on Putin’s facet and Housing Minister Ze’ev Elkin on Bennett’s facet have been current within the room with the leaders for the non-public a part of the discuss. Prior to now, Russian-speaking Elkin accompanied former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for a number of conferences he had with Putin, and is taken into account an skilled on Israel-Russia relations.

Aside from Elkin, Bennett was accompanied on his journey by nationwide safety adviser Eyal Hulata, Bennett’s diplomatic adviser Shimrit Meir and the federal government’s navy secretary Maj. Gen. Avi Gil. Bennett’s workplace didn’t say whether or not these senior officers have been scheduled to have talks with Russian counterparts whereas in Sochi.