Speaking at the state banquet in his honor, visiting Russian President Vladimir Putin told participants that his country wants to maintain good relations with Jerusalem as well as explaining his country’s “national interest include guaranteeing peace and tranquility for Israel”.

The Russian leader stated that a meeting held earlier in the day with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu was a good one, expressing his commitment to maintaining close ties with Israel. He reminded the audience that the former Soviet Union was among the nations voting in favor of the establishment of the State of Israel.

On the Iranian front, Putin called on Israel and the United States “to think first”, warning against acting too hastily. He explained that he gave the same advice to US President Barak Obama, using Afghanistan and Iraq of examples of what can happen if actions are ordered too hastily, without first weighing the possible consequences.

He pointed out that as a result of hasty decisions, Iraq today is pro-Iran, and he blames this on America’s actions.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)