Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert
Photo: Yoav Galai
Russian President Vladimir Putin
Photo: AP
Olmert leaves for Russia, aims at pressuring Iran
Prime minister arrives at Ben Gurion airport directly after meeting with Mossad head, plans to ask Moscow to influence Iran’s race for nuclear weapons, increase supervision of arms transfer to terror groups
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert left on an official visit to Moscow Tuesday afternoon.
Olmert arrived at Ben Gurion airport following a meeting with Mossad head Meir Dagan who is mostly responsible for the Iranian issue, which would be at the core of the Moscow meetings.
During the visit, the prime minister is scheduled to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, and Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov. He was also scheduled to meet with Jewish community heads and parents of soldiers serving in the IDF.
Olmert hopes his meeting with Putin Tuesday would put pressure on Iran to stop its nuclear development. Olmert was also expected to request that Putin control the transport of Russian weapons to terror organizations, particularly Hizbullah.
The meeting is expected to take place in a friendly atmosphere, despite Israeli claims that Hizbullah used Russian weapons during the recent Lebanon war.
Olmert seeks to further develop the growing relationship between Israel and Russia, in order to influence the Iranian situation.
The underlying assumption is that Moscow continues to be pivotal in the attempt at preventing Iran’s army from obtaining nuclear weapons, even before international sanctions were imposed.
The Russians seek to get more involved in the political processes in the Middle East, especially the Palestinian issue. They also want to expand their financial relationship with Israel.
At the same time, Moscow wants to use Israel’s technology and knowledge in areas ranging from agriculture to high-tech.
The prime minister is expected to end his visit of the Russian capital on Thursday night.
Attila Somfalvi contributed to this article
