Netanyahu and Putin Discuss 'Increased Russian Military Presence in Syria'

Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, visited Moscow on Monday, September 30, to meet with Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia. According to reports, Netanyahu raised the issue of 'increased Russian military interventions and presence in Syria' as a top priority in discussions with Putin. Israeli media report that 'coordination between Israel and Russia regarding Syria' was also discussed. Netanyahu stated at the beginning of the meeting that 'it was important that there be no misunderstandings between Israel and Russia.' The Israeli Prime Minister added that 'stability in the Middle East' is of great importance to both countries, but the security situation along Israel's northern borders is becoming 'more complicated.' Netanyahu mentioned that 'Iran and Syria have been increasingly arming the extremist Islamic group Hezbollah in recent years, which has launched thousands of rockets towards our cities over the years.' He further stated that 'as the security situation worsens, Iran is also trying to open a new terrorist front against us in cooperation with the Syrian army.' According to Netanyahu, his country will not hesitate to 'suppress efforts to transfer weapon convoys in the region and will prevent the establishment of terrorist fronts and terrorist plans from the Golan Heights against Israel.' According to AFP, Netanyahu added that 'Iranian-Russian cooperation in Syria strengthens Tehran's role in the region, especially in Syria.' The Russian President stated during the meeting that 'Moscow is aware of attacks directed at Israel's borders, but under the current regional conditions, the Syrian army does not have the capacity to create a new front (against Israel).' Reports indicate that Putin also said, 'Russia's main goal is to defend the country of Syria, but Moscow understands Israel's concerns and is open to discussions about the details of these issues.' The Russian President told Netanyahu that Syria is not seeking to open a 'new front' in the Golan Heights against Israel and that the actions of Bashar al-Assad's army are aimed at preserving the regime in that country. Before Sergei Lavrov, the Russian Foreign Minister, confirmed Russia's recent military aid to Syria, Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon stated that Israel has information indicating that Russia has stationed some of its forces at the Tartus base in the Latakia province of Syria. Israeli media reported that Vladimir Putin told Benjamin Netanyahu during their meeting that he does not forget the fact that hundreds of thousands of Russian citizens have immigrated to Israel in recent years, and this has 'effects on the relations between the two countries.' Putin stated that Russia cares about the lives of a very large group of residents of Israel who are Russian citizens and that 'all of Russia's actions in the region will be responsible.' General Gadi Eisenkot, the new Chief of Staff of the Israeli army, General Herzl Levi, the commander of the military intelligence organization, and Yossi Cohen, the National Security Advisor of the Israeli government, also accompanied Netanyahu during his meeting with the Russian President. Israeli media and CNN described the presence of these senior Israeli intelligence and military figures in the Prime Minister's meeting with a foreign leader as 'unusual.' The last time Netanyahu met with Putin was in the fall of 2013, after which media reports emerged emphasizing that Israel had assisted Ukraine in its fight against Russia. However, Russian media reported last summer that Israel had canceled military deals with the Ukrainian army under pressure from Russia and, in return, signed a $300 million contract to sell advanced drones to the Russian army. Following the agreement reached between Iran and world powers on the nuclear deal, which Israel strongly opposes, this was the first meeting between the Israeli Prime Minister and the Russian President. Israel considers the Iranian nuclear deal to be a 'historically significant mistake' and the Prime Minister has stated that he will continue efforts to prevent its implementation.