File Photo: Russian President Vladimir Putin attending a meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow on March 2, 2022, and Israel s Prime Minister Naftali Bennett speaking at Mediterranean coastal city of Herzliya on November 23, 2021. AFP
Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett's office confirmed the meeting at the Kremlin, which came just days after Bennett spoke over the phone with both Russia and Ukrainian leaders.
Bennett's office said he departed early Saturday morning for Moscow, accompanied by Russian-speaking Cabinet minister Zeev Elkin. Both men are observant Jews and wouldn't normally travel on the Sabbath.
"Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has just concluded a meeting in the Kremlin with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The meeting lasted for about two and a half hours," said a statement from the Israeli premier's office.
Israel is one of the few countries that has good working relations with both sides. The country has delivered humanitarian aid to Ukraine, but also maintains ties with Moscow to make sure that Israeli and Russian warplanes do not come into conflict in neighboring Syria.
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