PM Netanyahu to meet Russia's Putin on Wednesday

JERUSALEM – Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday in Moscow to discuss regional issues, the prime minister said in a statement on Saturday.

Israel has been lobbying world powers to "fix or nix" a 2015 nuclear deal with Iran as a May 12 deadline set by President Trump approaches. Israel is also concerned Iran is establishing a military presence in Syria and has struck against Iranian targets there.

This will mark the two leaders' eighth meeting in the past two years. In addition, Putin invited Netanyahu to participate with the Russian leader in the annual march marking the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany.

Before arriving in Russia, Netanyahu will embark for Cyprus Tuesday, for a tripartite meeting with Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades and Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras.