Jerusalem/Moscow- After meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin for three hours in Moscow Thursday, Israel's Prime Minister Ehud Olmert indicated he had received assurances that Israel's security was a strong priority for Russia. Putin said he "views Israel's security interests as a significant component in [Russia's] regional policies," according to a statement released by the prime minister's office in Jerusalem.
During the meeting, the two leaders discussed Russia's Middle East regional involvement, Iran's nuclear programme and the diplomatic process with the Palestinians.
Putin visited Iran earlier this week, and supported that country's nuclear programme, which Israel opposes. Olmert was planning to promote harder sanctions against Tehran during his visit to Moscow, the Israeli press had reported.
Russia has involvement in Iran's nuclear reactor and has made significant arms sales to Syria. The two Mideast countries do not have diplomatic ties with the Jewish state.
During the meeting, the prime minister told Putin about his commitment to an upcoming US-sponsored meeting on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the Russian leader commended Olmert's peace efforts and said he would support the meeting.
Russia is a member of the so called Mideast Quartet working to end the conflict, which also includes the US, UN and the European Union.
The two leaders last met exactly one year ago to mark the 15th anniversary of the renewal of diplomatic relations between Israel and Russia.
