Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said Sunday that he will press the case for "crippling sanctions" against Iran when he visits Russia this week.
Netanyahu sets out on a three-day visit to Moscow later Sunday, where he is scheduled to meet with Russian leaders just days after Iran announced it would be enriching uranium to higher levels for medical purposes. The talks are also expected to focus on Iran and the diplomatic stalemate with the Palestinians.
Following are excerpts from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's remarks at the start of the weekly Cabinet meeting today:
Netanyahu sets out on a three-day visit to Moscow later Sunday, where he is scheduled to meet with Russian leaders just days after Iran announced it would be enriching uranium to higher levels for medical purposes. The talks are also expected to focus on Iran and the diplomatic stalemate with the Palestinians.
Following are excerpts from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's remarks at the start of the weekly Cabinet meeting today:
"This evening, I will leave for Moscow, for meetings with President Medvedev and Prime Minister Putin. I view Russia as in important power and an important friend of the State of Israel. We will discuss a range of issues, but first and foremost Iran. Israel believes that strong pressure must be applied to Iran, especially very sharp sanctions, which US Secy. of State Clinton referred to as 'crippling sanctions.'
Of course, we will also discuss other issues, including bilateral economic issues, in order to strengthen ties and cooperation. We highly value ties with Russia and would like it to support the hastening of moves to revive the peace process – naturally without pre-conditions – between Israel and the Palestinians, and between Israel and the rest of its neighbors.