5 May 2022 18:55

Putin, Bennett discuss Ukraine, express interest in further Russia-Israel friendly relations - Kremlin

MOSCOW. May 5 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin has spoken by telephone with Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, the Kremlin stated on Thursday.

"The Russian head of state warmly congratulated Naftali Bennett and the Israeli people on the national holiday marked today, their Independence Day. Both expressed interest in developing further friendly Russian-Israeli relations and maintaining useful contact between the leaders of the two countries," the statement said.

On Ukraine, a "substantive exchange of opinions" was continued, the press service said.

"Special attention was given to humanitarian aspects, including to the evacuation carried out in cooperation with the UN and the International Committee of the Red Cross of the civilians from the Azovstal [iron and steel] works, who had been held up by militants from nationalist formations. The Russian military are still ready to provide safe exit for civilians. As for the remaining militants at Azovstal, the authorities in Kyiv must order them to surrender arms," the statement said.

In the run-up to the Great Patriotic War V-Day, which both Russia and Israel mark on May 9, "Putin and Bennett stressed the particular significance of this date for the people of both countries, who cherish the historical truth of the events of those years and honor the memory of the fallen, including victims of the Holocaust," the press service said.

"The president of Russia recalled that of the six million Jews tormented in ghettos and concentration camps and executed by the Nazis, 40% had been Soviet citizens, and asked to convey wishes of good health and wellbeing to the veterans living in Israel. For his part, Naftali Bennett noted the Red Army's decisive contribution to the Victory over Nazism," the statement said.