Netanyahu told Putin he was happy to welcome him to his residence in Jerusalem

The Israeli Prime Minister called the Russian President a friend.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Vladimir Putin on Thursday that he was happy to welcome him at his residence in Jerusalem.

“My wife and I, Sarah, are pleased to welcome our great friend the President of the Russian Federation. We are glad to see you here in Jerusalem,” the prime minister said addressing Putin. The meeting was broadcast by the Israeli prime minister’s office.

The Russian leader’s trip to Israel is timed to the 75th anniversary of the Red Army’s liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp and Holocaust Memorial Day.

Putin will act as the main foreign guest at the World Forum “Keeping the memory of the Holocaust, fighting against anti-Semitism”. In addition to negotiations with Netanyahu, the Russian leader will meet with President Reuven Rivlin of the Jewish state.