Putin to PM: We are mindful of many ex-Soviets in Israel

Russian President Vladimir Putin tells Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Moscow is mindful of the fact that Israel is home to many one-time residents of the former Soviet Union, and as such its actions in the Middle East are always responsible.

The high number of Soviet-born Israelis “has special implications for relations between the two countries,” Putin says during a meeting between the two leaders in Moscow.

Netanyahu tells his host that Israel aims to prevent Iran and Syria from arming Hezbollah, and warns that Iran “under the auspices of the Syrian army,” is trying to build a terrorist front against Israel from the Syrian side of the Golan Heights.

Russia is a key ally of Syrian President Bashar Assad and has pledged to support his regime as it battles Islamic State.

— Raphael Ahren