Prime Minister Naftali Bennett met today, Oct. 22, in Sochi with Russian President Vladimir Putin. It was their first talk face-to-face since Bennett took office earlier this year. Bennett arrived to the Russian resort town at 10 a.m. His meeting with Putin was scheduled to take some two hours, but lasted almost five. As a result, Bennett will be staying in Russia until the Sabbath is over tomorrow evening.

Bennett and Putin had spoken at least twice on the phone in recent months — with Putin calling to congratulate Bennett after composing a government, and with Bennett calling Putin recently to discuss regional issues and to congratulate him on his 69th birthday.

Before departing for Russia, Bennett’s office said that talks would focus on several strategic issues, including Israeli concerns over Iranian military entrenchment in Syria, Iran and the Iranian nuclear talks. Reports also noted that Moscow is concerned over alleged Israeli attacks in Syria not being coordinated ahead of time with Russia. Another issue that was expected to come up at the meeting was the legal and financial situation of the Russian Orthodox Church's real estates in Israel.

Bennett's visit marks not only the first face-to-face meeting between the two leaders, but also celebrates 30 years of bilateral diplomatic relations. Israel decided Oct. 18 to enable tourists vaccinated with the Russian Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine to enter Israel, even though the World Health Organization is still accessing the Russian vaccine for emergency use. The decision was perceived in Israel as a diplomatic gesture toward Moscow, and not as a change in the country’s health policy. Following the recent surge in Israel of delta variant cases, Bennett was reconsidering this step, as per Oct. 21 reports.