Official website of the President of Russia

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President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr President, friends, colleagues,

This isn’t so much a speech as a few words regarding our work here in Israel today.

First of all, I would certainly like to express my gratitude for the hospitality and warmth with which we have been welcomed. This was felt throughout our negotiations, this is also clear in the reactions of average citizens in the city’s streets. I should admit we have noticed it and this is a pleasure for both myself and all the members of the Russian delegation.

I want to thank you for the atmosphere of trust and openness that has allowed us to have a substantive and very productive dialogue, for your sincere interest in the development of multidimensional ties between our nations, particularly on the international arena, including in resolving some very difficult and longstanding conflict situations.

In this regard, I would like to once again declare the Russian Federation’s basic position: we are in favour of strengthening the fundamental principles of international law and resolving all disputed issues on the basis of that international law. In this sense, we certainly find implementing principles of possible mutual annihilation absolutely unacceptable in international relations, regardless of where these threats originate and whom they are targeted toward.

We highly value your constructive approach and appreciate the genuinely unique capital of our bilateral relations. These relations are based on the closely intertwined historic fates of our two peoples, as well as human, personal contacts that have prevailed for many, many centuries. Today, we once again felt all this when we opened together the memorial in honour of the Red Army’s victory over Nazi Germany.

I must state again how highly we value the Israeli leadership’s initiative to raise this monument. It has become a symbol of our common memory and common sorrow, our strong commitment to the truth about the World War II.

Friends, during this visit we discussed many of our bilateral issues and set benchmarks for future joint work. If I am not mistaken, there is a Jewish proverb stating that “Those who do not look forward are left behind.” We must only look forward.

Both Russia and Israel have strong aspirations to continue cooperating successfully working in the interest of our peoples, identifying and developing new directions for partnership, engaging the full potential of our nations’ business circles and civil societies.

It is very important that we not only know how to listen to but, as I was once again able to note today, how to hear one another, how to find compromises, seek them out and find them, including on international matters where our positions are very frequently concurrent, even in spite of the many existing disputes surrounding problematic issues.

I want to once again thank all of our friends and partners with all my heart for today’s work and for this reception.

Thank you very much for your attention.