Today, Russian President Vladimir Putin met in Sochi with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who arrived in Russia on a short working visit.
At the beginning of today's conversation in his residence, President Putin said (according to the Kremlin's press release):
"I am very pleased that we have an effective mechanism of interaction, including at the highest level. And we can meet both at the working level and at our operative meeting both in the current regime and when it requires our direct participation to meet and discuss our bilateral relations and the situation in the region.
At the beginning of our conversation I would like to say that we are satisfied with the development of interstate relations between Russia and Israel, including through your direct efforts, Mr. Prime Minister.
We are very glad to see you. Welcome".
In response, Prime Minister Netanyahu said (according to the Russian-language press service of the head of government):
"Mr. President, I want to thank you for today's meetings, since they are important for Israel and for Russia. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the pension agreement between our countries, which helps citizens of both countries, and for your personal decision to help our veterans, veterans of the Second World War who served in the Red Army.
We and I personally never forget the historical role played by Russia and the Red Army in defeating the Nazis. We say this everywhere, recently it was declared again in the Knesset.
As you are well aware, Mr. President, this is the reason why I initiated the creation of the memorial in Netanya in memory of the soldiers of the Red Army and its role in the Second World War. Memorial, in the opening of which you personally participated.
In this context, of course, Israel is not against Russian participation in the project in the former Sobibor concentration camp. An officer of the Red Army, of Jewish origin, who led the heroic uprising in Sobibor, is not by chance a national hero in Russia, and in Israel.
Mr. President, we meet with you in recent years, not only to discuss our bilateral relations, but also to discuss the situation in the Middle East. Now the situation in the Middle East is fast enough.
Iran is making great efforts to consolidate its military presence in Syria. This poses a threat to Israel, to the Middle East and, I believe, to the whole world. Iran is already at an advanced stage of control in Iraq and in Yemen, and practically controls Lebanon.
Mr. President, we, by applying incredible international efforts, are defeating IGIL, and this is welcomed. But here's what is not welcomed - this is where ISHL is coming from, Iran comes to it.
We forget for a moment that Iran continues to threaten every day with the destruction of the state of Israel. He equips terrorist organizations and himself initiates terror, he develops intercontinental missiles with the intention of arming them with nuclear warheads.
