Photo credit: kremlin.ru
The pages of the common history, international situation and prospects for cooperation have been discussed by Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a meeting held in Moscow on September 12, the Kremlin website reports. The head of the Israeli government arrived in the Russian capital on a working visit, negotiations lasted about three hours.
Putin noted that countries were successfully in contact in literally all directions and had the same approach to the problems of World War II. The Jewish people and the peoples of the USSR suffered in the war like no others, and the memory of this is an essential part of the overall history.
The Russian leader said that he was pleased to accept the offer of the Israeli leadership to come to the memorial events related to the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz and Holocaust Day. He proposed to time with the opening in Israel of a memorial dedicated to the siege of Leningrad to these dates.
Putin also recalled that more than one and a half million immigrants from the USSR lived in Israel. They remain compatriots for us, their role is very important in bilateral relations, the president states. He expressed hope that the upcoming elections would bring responsible politicians to power in Israel, who would maintain all the positive advancements already achieved between our countries.
Benjamin Netanyahu agreed that Russian-speaking Israelis were a "living bridge" between Russia and Israel. The relations between our states have never been so strong, he believes, and this is important for stability in the region. The historical ties of the peoples of the two countries are a solid foundation for building contacts.
The Israeli Prime Minister stressed that in his country they would never forget the enormous contribution that the Russian people made to the victory over Nazi Germany.
Russkiy Mir reported that a monument to the feat of the inhabitants of the besieged Leningrad called Candle of Remembrance would be opened in Israel. It will be made in the form of an obelisk symbolizing a peaceful life, destroyed by war. The composition will also include two characters: one of them will be a copy of an angel from the spire of the Peter and Paul Cathedral in St. Petersburg, which fell under the gunsight. Another symbol contains the star of David and recalls the loss of the Israeli people during the Holocaust.
Russkiy Mir
