Israel, Russia to upgrade strategic ties

Olmert, Medvedev agree on new channel to share intel and discuss Russian arms sales to region.

By HERB KEINON
olmert medvedev big heads 224.88 (photo credit: AP)
olmert medvedev big heads 224.88
(photo credit: AP)
Israel and Russia will upgrade their strategic dialogue and use that forum to share intelligence assessments and discuss Russian arms sales to the region, a senior source in the Prime Minister's Office said Tuesday, following Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's meeting in the Kremlin with Russian President Dmitri Medvedev. Olmert raised the issue of arms sales, including the proposed sale of S-300 anti-aircraft missiles to Syria and Iran, with the Russian president, the source said, adding that the Israeli team left the meeting feeling that "[the Russians] understand more clearly now our concerns." The source would not say, however, whether Moscow committed not to sell the weapons system, which could severely curtail the IAF's freedom in the skies. The source characterized the discussions with Medvedev, as well as talks the night before with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, as "open and frank." This was Olmert's first meeting with Medvedev, elected who was elected earlier this year. In addition to the arms issue, the source said Olmert, "urged the Russians to play a more active role in getting Teheran to cease uranium enrichment." Olmert, the source said, reminded the Russians that they have the "influence, leverage and power" to do so, and asked the Kremlin to use its "assets more effectively in dealing with the area of nuclear proliferation." The Russians, the source said, made clear that Moscow would "do nothing to harm Israel's national security." We must remember, the source said, that the "days when Russia was a hostile country to Israel are no longer, and it is important to cultivate the relationship." Following his meeting with Medvedev, Olmert told reporters that Medvedev made clear he was opposed to a nuclear Iran and was very critical of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's rhetoric against Israel. Following the talks, the Kremlin put out a cursory statement saying Medvedev The Kremlin put out a cursory statement after the talks, saying Medvedev had praised the "economic cooperation between the two countries," and expressed hope for its further development. The two men did not hold a joint press conference. Perhaps underscoring the lack of importance Moscow may have ascribed to the trip by the lame-duck Israeli leader, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin was not in Moscow and did not meet Olmert. The two talked by phone, however. Sources in Olmert's office said that both Medvedev and Lavrov thanked Israel for approving the transfer of ownership of Sergei's Courtyard in Jerusalem to the Russian government. One source quoted Lavrov as saying this was an issue of great "symbolic importance" for Russia, and expressed his appreciation to Olmert for resolving the issue. AP contributed to this report.