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.