Putin To Visit Saudi Arabia in October and Israel in January

Sept. 18, 2019 (EIRNS)—Russian President Vladimir Putin continues his personal diplomacy with leaders of all the nations of Southwest Asia, whatever their disputes. He will be visiting Saudi Arabia in October, and Israel in January 2020.

Putin spoke with Saudi Crown Prince and Defense Minister Mohammad bin Salman today by phone, to discuss the situation following the attack on oil refineries in Saudi Arabia, the Kremlin reported. Putin “called for a thorough and objective investigation of the incident”; the two heads of state discussed how to continue their “close coordination” on stabilizing world oil prices; and “touched upon preparations” for Putin’s October visit. (The agreement for the visit came out of their meeting on the sidelines of the G20 last June, but according to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, the precise date in October has yet to set.)

In addressing a congress of the Israeli charity foundation Keren Hayesod-United Israel Appeal in Moscow yesterday, Putin spoke warmly of current relations with Israel, which he called “multifaceted and mutually beneficial,” and based upon a “meaningful political dialogue.”

“Without any exaggeration whatsoever, I can proudly say that never before has there been such a level of relations between Russia and Israel, with the exception, of course, of the very first months and the first couple of years following the establishment of the State of Israel,”

Putin told them.

He reported that he will visit Israel in January, at the invitation of President Reuven Rivlin, to participate in the events marking the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp and the Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust. The Holocaust is commemorated on Jan. 27, the anniversary of Auschwitz’s liberation by the Soviet Red Army.