Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev reportedly offered Israel a joint US-Russian deal to address the buildup of Iranian troops in Syria.
According to Channel 10 news report, Patrushev made the offer to Israel’s National Security Adviser Meir Ben Shabbat during a meeting on September 13, days before and Israeli airstrike in Damascus led to the downing of a Russian spy plane, damaging bilateral ties.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected the deal, the report says.
Israeli defense officials told the TV channel that Russian officials requested Jerusalem to serve as an intermediary between Moscow and Washington, in a bid to improve their ties with the US.
On official said Russians asked Israel to “open the door for them in Washington,” for dialogue with US President Donald Trump.
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From the Liveblog of
Thursday, December 20, 2018
