Netanyahu discusses mutual interests with Russia's Putin
Putin tells Netanyahu that Kiev regime is to blame for escalations in eastern Ukraine; both agree to cooperation on issues of mutual interest.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke over the phone Tuesday, and discussed issue like Iran, Ukraine, and additional communications.
Reportedly on Netanyahu's request, the two leaders discussed the situation in Ukraine, which Israeli politicians have been steering clear of, concerned possible security threats could arise if relations with Moscow were to suffer.
Two days ago, US State Department Spokesperson Jen Psaki said the US was “surprised” that Israel failed to support a UN vote hled earlier March in wake of Russia’s annexation of Crimea. "We were surprised that Israel did not join the vast majority of countries that voted to support Ukraine’s territorial integrity in the United Nations," she said.
In their phonecall, Putin gave Netenyahu his analysis on the situation, blaming the deteriorating security condition in eastern Ukraine on the irresponsibility by the Kiev government, with whom Russia has locked horns in recent months.
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According to Putin and pro-Russian activists in the Ukraine, the current government in Kiev is illegal and disregards the political wants and desires of Ukraine's ethnic Russians, and Russian speaking citizens.
Putin said that Ukraine's current show of force in the East against pro-Russian militias was unvalid.
According to NATO, tens of thousands of Russian troops are massed on Ukraine's Eastern border giving rise to Western fears that Putin would move to take unilateral military action in Ukraine.
The two leaders agreed to continue regular exchanges to discuss issues of mutual interest.
