Vladimir Putin, opening his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett on Friday, highlighted that a unique bond has developed between the two countries.
"It is possible to say that your visit marks the 30th anniversary of the reestablishment of diplomatic relations. During this time, relations between Russia and Israel, almost unique to a certain degree, have formed," the head of state stressed.
According to Putin, there are all grounds to view the relations of the two countries precisely this way. "First of all, the Soviet Union and our country as the successor state of the USSR essentially stood at the origins of the creation of the State of Israel. Second, perhaps, is that the largest Russian-speaking community abroad resides in Israel," the president pointed out, adding that Russia has particular warm feelings towards the veterans of the Great Patriotic War residing in Israel.
Putin devoted special attention to the development of trade and economic links between the two countries. "Volume-wise, they are still modest but nevertheless they are successfully developing," he noted. The Russian president cited statistical data that over a period of seven months this year, the trade turnover between Russia and Israel has increased by 50% despite all the pandemic restrictions. According to him, the development of economic relations is taking place, among other things, due to special attention to projects in the hi-tech spheres of the economy.
The first talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett were long and constructive, Putin’s press secretary Dmitry Peskov told Friday.
"The talks are over. They had a long, constructive and trust-based conversation," he said.
The talks were held in Russia’s Black Sea city of Sochi, where the Israeli prime minister had arrived on an official visit at the invitation of the Russian president.
The talks were held in "an atmosphere of warm relations," Peskov said earlier in the day. The agenda included issues of bilateral cooperation, regional security, the situation around Syria, Afghanistan, and Iran.
"Not long ago a meeting between Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Russian President Vladimir Putin, which lasted five hours, ended in Sochi. The meeting was warm and positive. It addressed a range of significant issues in bilateral relations," the Israeli prime minister’s office reported.
The Israeli prime minister’s office added that "after the meeting, the leaders came onto the terrace of the residence and took a stroll along the residence’s alleys toward the beach."
"As the meeting was lengthy, the prime minister and the Israeli delegation will stay longer in Russia and leave for Israel after the Shabbat," the office said.
In accordance with the Jewish tradition, it is forbidden to work on Shabbat from Friday sundown till Saturday evening, so Jews cannot use transport, including planes.
Bennett took the office of Israeli Prime Minister on June 13, succeeding Benjamin Netanyahu who had been in office since 2009. Putin and Netanyahu maintained regular dialogue, both in person and over the phone. The Russian president’s latest visit to Israel took place in January 2020.
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