Russia and Israel talk Syria, Iran

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JERUSALEM, June 25 (UPI) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Monday to discuss "the Syria issue and about the Iranian nuclear program."

Putin arrived in Jerusalem Monday for a two-day Middle East tour, RIA Novosti reported.

Israeli President Shimon Peres welcomed Putin at a ceremony to unveil a monument to the Red Army's victory over Nazi Germany.

"You've come just at the right time," Peres said. "This visit is a warning to those who want to trample on human dignity again. We won't allow that."

Later, Putin met with Netanyahu and "spoke in detail about the Syria issue and about the Iranian nuclear program," Putin said.

"I would like to stress again that the negotiations were detailed and very effective," he said. "I'm convinced that the cooperation between Russia and Israel will develop later as well, and this matter certainly meets the demands and interests of both states, in the region and in the world at large."

Putin also thanked Israel for inviting him to the country.

"My visit here reinforced the assumption that we have friendly relations, and these are not just friendly relations," Putin said. "This is a solid basis for building dialogue and partnership."

Israeli officials have said repeatedly Iran's talks with world powers about its nuclear program appear to be going nowhere and are in fact allowing it to move ahead with its nuclear ambitions, The Jerusalem Post said. Russia has demanded a continuation of the diplomatic process, the newspaper said.

Israel has said while it supports imposing harsh sanctions on the Islamic Republic there may come a time when military action will be the only option available to halt the Iranian nuclear threat.

As for Syria, while most countries, including Israel have condemned President Bashar Assad's regime and the killing of thousands of Syrians, Russia has continued to offer Assad diplomatic and military support, the Post said.