Russian president, Israeli premier meet in Moscow

By Elena Teslova</p> <p>MOSCOW (AA) – Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a working meeting in Moscow, according to the Kremlin on Thursday.</p> <p>Top Russian and Israeli military officials, as well as Russian Presidential Envoy for Syria Alexandre Lavrentyev also attended the meeting, according to a statement issued by the Kremlin.</p> <p>Prior to Israeli premier’s visit to Russia, the two leaders held a phone talk in which they discussed military contacts and the situation in the Middle East.</p> <p>According to media reports, Israeli prime minister would offer Putin a plan on the Syrian settlement. </p> <p>Commenting on the reports, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov had said on Wednesday: &quot;If a plan is offered, Russia will examine it&quot;.</p> <p>The visit of Israeli premier came days before the Israeli parliamentary elections.</p> <p>It is Netanyahu’s first visit to Russia since U.S. President Donald Trump's abrupt decision last month to recognize Israel's territorial claim to the occupied Syrian Golan Heights — a move that Moscow has opposed.