Netanyahu Reveals Ongoing Talks With Putin and Upcoming Meeting With President Trump

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that he maintains regular communication with Russian President Vladimir Putin, calling the relationship essential for safeguarding Israel's "vital interests.” He made the statement during a session of the Knesset on 8 December.

Photo: commons.wikimedia.org by President of Ukraine, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Benjamin Netanyahu

"We maintain contacts with another global power-Russia. I speak with Putin regularly, and these long-standing personal relations protect our vital interests,” the prime minister said, as reported by The Times of Israel. He added that ties with Russia support Israel's interests "even now, including efforts to prevent obstacles to defending our northern border.”

Netanyahu Prepares for December Meeting With President Trump

During the session, Netanyahu also spoke about his upcoming meeting with US President Donald Trump, scheduled for late December. He noted that this would be his sixth meeting with the American leader since the start of Trump's second term. Earlier in December, Axios reported that Netanyahu had asked Trump for help securing a pardon from Israeli President Isaac Herzog.

Corruption Cases Continue to Follow the Israeli Prime Minister

A corruption investigation targeting Netanyahu began in December 2016, and by 2019 prosecutors brought formal charges in several cases. The prime minister denies wrongdoing. Authorities accused him of accepting expensive gifts-cigars and champagne worth tens of thousands of dollars-from a billionaire and Hollywood producer in exchange for personal and business favors. He also faces allegations of assisting media moguls in return for favorable coverage of his actions and those of his family.

Putin-Netanyahu Calls Focus on Regional Stability

The two leaders last spoke by phone in mid-November, discussing the ceasefire in Gaza, issues surrounding Iran's nuclear program, and efforts to stabilize the situation in Syria. Putin and Netanyahu also spoke earlier in October on the eve of the Russian president's birthday.