From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, June 7, 2016
Putin and Netanyahu hail tightening relationship
MOSCOW – Netanyahu and Putin hail the increasingly cordial ties between the two countries at the beginning of their meeting in the Kremlin.
“We give great importance to our relationship with Israel,” Putin says, mentioning that many Russian-speakers live in Israel.
Netanyahu, speaking in Hebrew, which is translated into Russian by Jerusalem Affairs Minister Ze’ev Elkin, says he wants to reinforce Putin’s point and mentions that two ministers in his government are Russian-speakers. It is a reference to Elkin and Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman. (He appears to forget new Immigrant Absorption Minister Sofa Landver.)
The two leaders are now continuing their discussion behind closed doors and will emerge later for a joint press conference.
— Raphael Ahren
The Times of Israel Community.