Putin-Bennet meeting in Moscow. The conversation between the Russian president and the Israeli prime minister ended after three hours. According to diplomatic sources, cited by the Israeli media, Bennett spoke with the Russian president of the situation of Israelis and Jewish communities in Ukraine during the conflict. There was also talk of talks on the nuclear deal with Iran in Vienna. Bennett said he opposes the deal.
The announcement of the meeting between Bennett and Putin was given by the Kremlin. The Israeli premier is the first Western leader to meet Putin after the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24.
The Israeli premier then left for Berlin, for a meeting with the German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. German government sources confirmed this to Welt.
Bennett left Israel this morning, an unusual choice for an Israeli leader as it is the day of rest on Shabbat, the Jerusalem Post points out. Bennett was accompanied by the Minister for Housing Zeev Elkin, who is originally from Ukraine, and plays the role of interpreter. He was also present with National Security Advisor Eyal Hulata.
The trip was organized after last Wednesday’s phone call between Bennett and Putin. After the invasion, the Israeli leader has already spoken twice with both Russian and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The Ukrainian president, who is Jewish, has asked Bennett to play the role of mediator, given the very good relations that Israel has with Kiev and especially with Moscow. At the UN General Assembly, Israel voted in favor of condemning Russia for the invasion of Ukraine, but otherwise Bennett kept a low profile on the conflict. Israel has so far used close ties with Moscow to target Iranian bases in Syria.
Israel, sources said, coordinated the meeting with the United States, Germany and France and notified Ukraine.
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