Netanyahu meets Putin in Moscow

[webfact]

Netanyahu meets Putin in Moscow



"We have many mutual challenges"

MOSCOW: -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has welcomed the Israeli Prime Minister to Moscow.

It is the third time Benjamin Netanyahu has visited Russia in the last year.

This time, it is for the 25th anniversary of the resumption of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Why is Russia important for Israel?

Analysts say with Russian forces fighting alongside Iran and Hezbollah guerillas in Syria, Putin is the closest thing to a guarantor that Israel’s three most potent adversaries will not attack from the north.

Why is Israel important for Russia?

Netanyahu can offer Putin reciprocal Israeli restraint in Syria, where Russia maintains a strategic Mediterranean base.

There could also be the opportunity to play a greater role in Israeli-Palestinian peacekeeping, a process that has long been dominated by the United States.

Is the timing significant?

When Netanyahu last visited Russia in April, it was three days after a visit by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

On Wednesday, when the Israeli prime minister departs, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is scheduled to host his Palestinian counterpart, Riyad al-Maliki.

With the Obama administration in its final months, Netanyahu has been a more frequent visitor to Moscow than Washington.

Some say this shows he is aware of a shift in the balance of power in the Middle East.

What they are saying

“We in Russia attach great important to our contacts with Israel. And not only because Israel is an important country, one of the key countries in the Middle East situation, but due to historic relations between our states,” – Russian President Vladimir Putin, during a meeting at the Kremlin.

“We always have things to discuss, there are topics that are very important for our countries: technology, agricultural cooperation, trade, regional problems. We have many mutual challenges,” – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Putin.

The two countries “each express their positions in a pretty constructive manner and all of this contributes to this rather frequent and intensive communication,” – Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov.

“Netanyahu is not defecting, but what we see here is a bid to manoeuvre independently to promote Israel’s interests,” – Zvi Magen, former Israeli ambassador to Russia.

-- (c) Copyright Euronews 2016-06-08

[GaryAdriaenssens]

Both are wise men. They realize that with the upcoming US elections the possibility exists that the Contra-Israel stance of Obama will likely continue if that female freak wins it.... Both hope that won't become a reality.

[Srikcir]

a bid to manoeuvre independently to promote Israel’s interests

If Israel wants indepdendence from USA interests, feel free to reject any further USA foreign aide. And also feel free to lose USA's support for Israel's security concerning pro-Russian Iran's military buildup and missile development.

[Jingthing]

Both are wise men. They realize that with the upcoming US elections the possibility exists that the Contra-Israel stance of Obama will likely continue if that female freak wins it.... Both hope that won't become a reality.

You're misinformed.

Hillary Clinton is a stronger ally to Israel than Obama and also Trump.

Trump is an isolationist.

[Rancid]

Both are wise men. They realize that with the upcoming US elections the possibility exists that the Contra-Israel stance of Obama will likely continue if that female freak wins it.... Both hope that won't become a reality.

You're misinformed.

Hillary Clinton is a stronger ally to Israel than Obama and also Trump.

Trump is an isolationist.

Your right about Hilary and Israel. Also worth noting, of the other two potential candidates that Sanders is Jewish, and Trumps daughter converted to Judaism. Don't think Israel need worry about a compliant admin regardless who wins.

[Jingthing]

Both are wise men. They realize that with the upcoming US elections the possibility exists that the Contra-Israel stance of Obama will likely continue if that female freak wins it.... Both hope that won't become a reality.

You're misinformed.

Hillary Clinton is a stronger ally to Israel than Obama and also Trump.

Trump is an isolationist.

Your right about Hilary and Israel. Also worth noting, of the other two potential candidates that Sanders is Jewish, and Trumps daughter converted to Judaism. Don't think Israel need worry about a compliant admin regardless who wins.

Not exactly.

If Sanders had become president (not going to happen) he would have been the most hostile to Israel president since Israel became a nation. His being a Jew (ethnically only) has nothing to with it. His allies include some hard core pro BDS anti-Israel radicals.

Trump on the other hand is clearly running to the LEFT of Hillary Clinton on U.S. foreign policy in general, including Israel. Trump is certainly not even close to a typical republican. He's all over the place.

Back closer to the topic. Of course Russia and Israel need to have relations. Russia is heavily involved in the Middle East now, for better or worse.

Israel is a sovereign nation, it's closest ally may still be the USA but it's foolish to rely too much on foreign relations with only one country. Israel seeks relations and alliances with many nations, including China and India. Yes, the Obama-Netanyahu mutual dislike has been damaging to USA-Israel relations but that is repairable with different personalities.

Edited June 8, 2016 by Jingthing

[coma]

a bid to manoeuvre independently to promote Israel’s interests

If Israel wants indepdendence from USA interests, feel free to reject any further USA foreign aide. And also feel free to lose USA's support for Israel's security concerning pro-Russian Iran's military buildup and missile development.

I would love to see that.