JERUSALEM, Jan. 12 (UPI) -- Israel has denied it is in a crisis with Russia over Moscow's plans to sell missile systems to Syria, the Interfax news agency reported Wednesday.
The BBC said Israel is said to have discussed the issue with the United States, but denies Russian media reports it had recalled its Moscow ambassador.
The tension arose over Russia's possible exports of Iskander-E tactical missile systems to Syria. The Iskander is an updated version of the Soviet-era Scud missile.
Israel, however, did protest Syrian President Bashar Assad's planned visit to Moscow Jan. 24, the BBC said.
Russian and Israeli media both said among other reasons for the chilling in relations between the countries is Israel's alleged financial support of Ukrainian opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko, who won the recent presidential election.
Russia had openly supported his rival candidate, former Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych.
