He added: ‘’Relations between the two countries are very good but they can always be better. In this case, the potential for economic, scientific, cultural and technological cooperation is endless given the fact that there are approximately one million Russian-speakers in Israel,’’ said Naftali Bennett following a meeting on Friday with Vladimir Putin.

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett met on Friday with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Sochi, a meeting described by Bennett as “very good and in-depth.”

Speaking at the weekly cabinet meeting on Sunday, Bennett said: ‘’President Putin and I discussed the situation in Syria, of course.In a certain way, the Russians are our neighbors to the north and it is important that we manage the delicate and complex situation there smoothly, without mishaps. We reached good and stable conclusions and I found President Putin to be attentive to Israel’s security needs. We also discussed the Iranian nuclear program, the advanced state of which worries everyone.’’

He added: ‘’Relations between the two countries are very good but they can always be better. In this case, the potential for economic, scientific, cultural and technological cooperation is endless given the fact that there are approximately one million Russian-speakers in Israel.’’

In joint remarks to the press ahead of the meeting, Putin said that Israel and Russia had established a “businesslike and trusting relationship” under Bennett’s predecessor, Benjamin Netanyahu, and expressed his hope that Bennett’s government would pursue a “policy of continuity,” according to the AP.

Bennett called Putin “a true friend of the Jewish people,” and noted that the two countries were currently celebrating the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations.

“In Israel we have a million ambassadors, Russian-speaking Israelis who constitute a great contribution to Israeli culture. They bring with them a mentality of hard work and strength. This is a very great contribution to the State of Israel,” said Bennett.

Bennett also thanked Putin for the Russian nation’s contribution to the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II, noting Israel had built two memorials to Russia’s war effort, both of which Putin inaugurated.

Bennett noted that ‘’ we are concluding the project of constructing a large museum in Israel to commemorate the Jewish soldiers who fought in various armies during World War II. But the special and significant contribution was in the Red Army, in which 500,000 Jews fought and 200,000 Jews fell during the war against the Nazis, in the Red Army.’’

‘’ The museum will be named after president Chaim Herzog, the father of the current President of Israel, and I will be pleased to discuss this with you,’’ the Israeli Prime Minister told the Russian President.