Israel, Russia announce upgrading of strategic dialogue

Israel and Russia have decided to upgrade the strategic dialogue between the two countries, according to reports in the Israeli media this morning. The move came following the meeting between Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Russian President Dmitri Medvedev yesterday. The new forum for dialogue will share intelligence assessments and its discussions will include the issue of Russian arms sales to the region.

However, on the key issue of a possible Russian sale of the S-300 anti-aircraft missile system to Iran, it appears that no concrete progress was made. PM Olmert told reporters after his meeting with President Medvedev that he came away from this first encounter with the new Russian president convinced of his sincere opposition to a nuclear Iran. He also noted Medvedev's criticism of the extremist rhetoric on Israel used by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.  The two men did not hold a joint press conference following the meeting.

Back to top Previous article Next article