Putin Visits Israel and Tries to Allay Its Security Worries
On the first visit by a Kremlin leader to Israel, President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia on Thursday tried to allay fears that Israel’s security was threatened by Russia’s nuclear assistance to Iran and missile sales to Syria. Israel gave Mr. Putin a red-carpet welcome, including separate meetings with President Moshe Katsav and Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and a somber visit to Israel’s Holocaust memorial, Yad Vashem. But Israeli leaders also made it clear that they viewed Russian help for Israel’s enemies as a serious danger.Full Story