Olmert to make surprise visit to Russia
Prime minister to leave Thursday for one-day visit in Moscow, where he is set to meet with Putin following Russian president's visit to Tehran
The surprise visit was announced Wednesday afternoon, and reporters will not be allowed to join the trip.
Putin met Wednesday with Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. According to senior officials in Tehran, the Russian president suggested that the Iranian halt all uranium enrichment activities in return for a removal of the sanctions imposed on the Islamic republic.
Putin returned from Tehran on Wednesday where he attended the Caspian Sea summit. During his visit, the Russian president said that Iran had a right to develop nuclear technology for civil purposes, a stance which Israel, the United States and several European countries do not accept, as they believe Tehran is working to develop a nuclear weapon.
Olmert spoke to Putin last week, and apart from the Iranian issue, he and the Russian president may also discuss issues in dispute between Israel and the Palestinians ahead of the Annapolis peace conference.
Olmert spoke to Putin last week, and apart from the Iranian issue, he and the Russian president may also discuss issues in dispute between Israel and the Palestinians ahead of the Annapolis peace conference.
The prime minister views Moscow's support in the diplomatic process between him and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas as extremely important. He is scheduled to brief the Russian president on the negotiations between the two sides' delegations, and on US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's visit to the Middle East, scheduled to end on Thursday.
On Sunday, Olmert is scheduled to travel to Paris for a meeting with French President Nicolas Sarkozy. On Tuesday he will travel to London for a meeting with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
