The Prime Minister and the Russian President held a telephone conversation that dealt with various policy issues • The conversation between the two leaders stands out against the background of the rift between Jerusalem and Washington
Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Putin in Russia // Photo: AP
Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke by telephone today (Monday) with Prime Minister Netanyahu and the two discussed international issues, including Middle East affairs.
This is according to a report in the news agency Rea Novosti based on the Kremlin's spokeswoman.
According to the report, the conversation took place at the initiative of the Israeli side and included "exchanges of views on current issues in the international arena and the ongoing situation in the Middle East." In addition, the leaders agreed to continue contacts at various levels.
While Netanyahu is talking to Putin, there has been no phone call between him and the new US president, Joe Biden. Talk to Netanyahu.
This is unlike any previous precedent, so new American presidents, including Barack Obama, established contact with Israeli prime ministers within days.
The prevailing assessment in the political system is that the rift between Biden and Netanyahu stems from the prime minister's public and preliminary statements against an American return to the nuclear agreement with Iran.
In addition, Biden appears to be punishing Netanyahu for his close proximity to President Trump, who is hated by Democrats, and also for his struggle in the US Congress six years ago to thwart the US-Iranian nuclear deal.
The Democratic Party, led by Biden, did not forgive Netanyahu for what he saw as Israeli interference in American politics.
Another reason for the delayed phone call, according to the assessment, is the existence of the Israeli election campaign, and Biden's desire not to be perceived as interfering in it.
Biden's spokeswoman Jen Pasaki said earlier this week that the president was preoccupied mainly with internal affairs and therefore had not yet spoken to Netanyahu.
