Speaking at a conference in Moscow on Tuesday, Putin said that “Russians and Israelis have ties of family and friendship,” Ukraine’s pravda.com.ua website has reported, citing Russia’s rbc.ru media outlet.
“This is a true common family; I can say this without exaggeration," he added, as cited in a video posted on the Russia Insight YouTube channel.
Putin told those at the conference that almost 2 million Russian speakers lived in Israel.
“We consider Israel a Russian-speaking country,” he stated.
The Russian leader was speaking at an event held in Moscow by Keren Hayesod, an international Jewish fundraising organisation, pravda.com.ua reported.
(gs)
Source: pravda.com.ua