23 Oct 2021; MEMO: During the meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Sochi on Friday, the latter agreed to let Israel continue its strikes in Syria, Israeli media reported.
Housing Minister Ze'ev Elkin confirmed that the two officials agreed to continue implementing the deconfliction mechanism that works to prevent Israeli and Russian forces from clashing in Syria.
There were "very wide" talks regarding the situation in Syria aimed at "safeguarding the coordination mechanism," Elkin shared in a statement.
According to The Times of Israel, Elkin said that Bennett: "Presented his world view on ways to stop Iran's nuclear drive and Iran's entrenchment in Syria. It was decided to keep policies vis-à-vis Russia in place (regarding airstrikes in Syrian territory)."
"Russia is a very important player in our region, a kind of neighbour for us in the north," Bennett posted on Facebook after the meeting, referring to Russia's large military presence in Syria.
"As such, our relationship with Russia is strategic, but also on an almost daily basis, and we need to maintain this direct and intimate discourse," Bennett added.
