In his message to Netanyahu as the new Israeli prime minister, Putin calls for the “strengthening of Russian-Israeli cooperation in all areas”.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has welcomed the return of Benjamin Netanyahu as head of the most far-right Israeli government the country has known and signaled intentions to step up cooperation, the Kremlin said.
“I hope that the new government under your leadership will continue the line of strengthening Russian-Israeli cooperation in all areas for the benefit of our peoples and in the interests of ensuring peace and security in the Middle East,” Putin said in a message to Netanyahu , quoted in a statement on Thursday.
“In Russia, we greatly appreciate your personal and long-term contribution to strengthening friendly relations between our countries,” Putin said.
Netanyahu, 73, took the oath of office on Thursday shortly after Israel’s parliament gave a vote of confidence in his new government.
After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began in February, Israel took a cautious stance toward Moscow and sought to maintain neutrality.
Israel has particularly emphasized the special ties between the two nations, as Israel is now home to more than a million citizens from the former Soviet Union.
Russia’s foreign ministry said it was “ready for constructive cooperation” with Israel to “clean up the climate in the Middle East and the international scene in general.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also tweeted that he wished Netanyahu “success on the road to the well-being and security of Israel.”
He spoke of “Ukraine’s willingness to work closely together to strengthen our ties and face common challenges, achieve prosperity and defeat evil.”
Israel has not delivered arms to Ukraine despite Zelenskyy’s repeated requests.
US President Joe Biden on Thursday called Netanyahu his “friend for decades” and said he looked forward to working with him “to jointly address the many challenges and opportunities facing Israel and the Middle East region, including the Threats from Iran”.
But, Biden warned, the US will “continue to support the two-state solution and oppose policies that endanger its viability or run counter to our common interests and values.”