Русский
The Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu have spoken by phone to exchange greetings for the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two. Putin conveyed wishes of good health and well-being to the Great Patriotic War veterans living in Israel.
The leaders noted the determination of both countries in defending the truth about the Second World War, as well as in countering any attempts to revise its outcomes or falsify history. An emphasis was made on the decisive contribution of the Red Army and the entire Soviet people to the defeat of Nazism. Just like Russia, Israel reveres the memory of the war heroes and those who gave their lives for the sake of Victory, and May 9 is celebrated there as a public holiday as well.
Various aspects of the situation in the Middle East and several pressing bilateral matters were also addressed during the conversation, including Israel’s involvement in Palestine, Lebanon and Syria. Moscow has generally not been supportive of Israeli actions in the region.
Israel is an important diamond and jewellery trade centre for Russian products and processes Russian gem grade stones, which are then sent on to markets in Asia. Bilateral trade between Israel and Russia has varied over the past few years. In 2021, the total trade volume was around US$2.58 billion, rising to US$2.8 billion in 2022, but dropping to US$2.3 billion in 2023. Data for projected 2024 trade figures are not yet available but are likely to show a decline.
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