The international community must impose economic sanctions on Iran and continue with diplomatic steps in order to prevent deterioration in the Middle East, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is
planning to tell Russian President Vladimir Putin during their meeting Thursday in the Kremlin.
The prime minister landed in Moscow during the afternoon, for a lightening visit which was only reported on Wednesday. The topic for the discussion will be the Iranian nuclear program. "The sanctions imposed up to now have affected Iran and they should be continued," the prime minister said.
After landing in Moscow, the prime minister came to the official residence of the Russian government. Olmert is expected to meet with Putin after 5 pm Israel time for two hours. He plans to raise before the Russian president the issue of Russian-Syrian weapons deals, and to update him on progress made in negotiations on the Palestinian front.
Putin, whose country is a member of the Quartet, is expected to hear from Olmert about the gaps in positions
between Israel and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas ahead of the Annapolis summit. Olmert is expected to also discuss Israel's demands for an end to future weapons deals between Syria and Russia. Two deals to purchase air defense missiles have been signed by Russia and Syria, while others have recently been disclosed. The issue of the Israeli kidnapped troops is also expected to be raised during the meeting.
Prime Minister Olmert is, according to a senior member of his entourage, expected to tell Putin that the international community must continue to place harsh economic sanctions against the Iranians and that the next stage in the Security Council must be reached on this issue.
At the same time, the PM is expected to say, diplomatic attempts to reach understanding with the Iranians should continue to prevent deterioration in the area. The sanctions taken until now against Iran have an impact and they need to be continued to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, Olmert will say to Putin.
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