From the Liveblog of
Sunday, February 27, 2022
Bennett said to have told Putin: It’s one hour before midnight
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Prime Minister Naftali Bennett initiated a call earlier today with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which was held at around noon and lasted 20 minutes, Channel 12 reports citing Israeli sources.
“We are at one hour before midnight; it’s important to find the optimal points for dialogue,” said Bennett, according to the TV report.
The prime minister updated the United States and Ukraine both before and after the conversation.
Bennett first expressed sorrow regarding the situation, which he said he hoped would not develop into a grave humanitarian crisis.
Putin told Bennett he had no choice but to act, since Ukraine broke its obligations, the report says.
Putin said he is ready to negotiate, and that his representatives were in Belarus, but the Ukrainians were spurning the opportunity to do so.
At that point, Bennett said Israel is ready to assist in any way possible in bringing the sides together, now or in the future, in light of its unique relationship with both countries.
Channel 12 says Bennett’s proposal to serve as mediator did not go anywhere with Putin but that the call still went well as the premier was seen by the Russians to have shown goodwill.
The Times of Israel Community.