Israel values Putin's understanding of its security needs - foreign minister

TEL AVIV, January 21. /TASS/. Russia plays an important role in the Middle East, and Israel values Russian President Vladimir Putin's understanding of the importance of ensuring security of the Jewish state, Israel's Foreign Minister Yisrael Katz told TASS in an interview ahead of Putin's visit to Israel on January 23. "Russia plays an important role in the Middle East. Israel works on resolving regional issues in cooperation with Russia. Israel values President Putin's understanding of the importance of ensuring security of the State of Israel. I am confident that this time Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Russian President Vladimir Putin will discuss a lot of issues, including countering the Iranian threat to Israel and to the whole region," Katz said. "Iran's strengthening positions on the territory of Syria represent a threat to Israel's security, and we cannot allow such developments. Iran brings a threat not only for our country but also for the whole region," the Israeli foreign minister stressed noting that Israel "will not allow Iran to acquire nuclear weapons." Katz said that "usually at talks [between the Russian and Israeli leaders], regional issues are discussed, as well as spheres in which the countries can further develop their relations." In 2019, Putin met with Netanyahu three times - in February and March in Moscow, and in September in Sochi. Read more