VLADIMIR PUTIN
ARCHIVE OF THE OFFICIAL SITE
OF THE 2008-2012 PRIME MINISTER
OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION
VLADIMIR PUTIN
ARCHIVE OF THE OFFICIAL SITE
OF THE 2008-2012 PRIME MINISTER
OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION
VLADIMIR PUTIN
Transcript of the beginning of the meeting:
Vladimir Putin: Mr Prime Minister, ladies and gentlemen. I'm very glad to welcome you in Moscow.
I know that it was not easy for you to decide to come to us today so quick on the heels of an act of terror committed in Israel. Allow us to convey our condolences to you and to all the victims and their families. Today's meeting is all the more urgent for this reason, as it forces us to consider the need to cooperate in all areas.
I'd like to express my special gratitude to you for the idea of constructing a monument to the struggle against Nazism. No doubt, in the 1920s and 1930s, political extremism finally degenerated into fascism and Nazism [in Europe]; and even today, extremism threatens to bring the world to the brink of disaster unless it encounters resistance.
Incidentally, here in Moscow, we are also looking into opportunities for... We are working on a project you've already heard of to create a museum devoted to the victims of Nazism and the war, including the victims of the Holocaust. We'll also have the opportunity today to talk about trade and economic cooperation, and I'm very glad that we do. But this is a separate subject, and we'll come back to it.
Benjamin Netanyahu (as translated): Thank you very much, Mr Prime Minister. I'm very happy to see you again. First, I'd like to thank you and the Russian government for your prompt assistance in combating a heavy fire in the Carmel Mountains. Thank you for sending planes and Russian pilots who performed brilliantly. This was a sign of great friendship between our two countries, and we are very grateful. I'd like to send my personal thanks to the Russian government.
Vladimir Putin: I was so sorry to see images of that fire. I know that such wooded areas are man-made in Israel – planted and cultivated over generations.
Benjamin Netanyahu: Yes, this is true. Ours are not Siberian forests.
Vladimir Putin: Siberian forests are also being burnt.
Benjamin Netanyahu: Russia is still much bigger than Israel – a thousand times bigger – but we felt your sincere concern for us. The delegation you sent performed brilliantly. We've learned many things from them. Therefore, first of all, I'd like to say how grateful I am to you. Second, I'd like to express my gratitude for your adamant struggle against terror, which you've spoken about at length over the last few days. This is a very important issue for us. I don't have to explain to the Russian leadership what terrorism is all about. Over the last few years, you were subjected to acts of terror in the metro, at a school in Beslan, a theatre in Moscow, and in an airport. Regrettably, you are as familiar with terrorism as we are. And, my friend, you once said that civilised countries cannot tolerate terrorist attacks, and we agree with you.
You are very tough on terror, and we are tough on it, too. The struggle against terrorism must be a common goal among all civilised countries of the world. You were absolutely correct when you said that terror is an instrument of radical regimes and movements designed to intimidate civilised people.
When a very grave, radical threat was hovering over humanity, you paid a very high price to stop it – Russian people paid with their lives... The heroic actions of Soviet soldiers removed the Nazi threat from the world. We will never forget it and not only because 400,000 Jews fought in the ranks of the Soviet Army and many of them received orders and medals but also because it was a glorious accomplishment of millions of Russian soldiers. You have saved humanity and changed the destiny of our nation. Israel will never forget it.
That’s why attempts to make people forget the heroism of the Russian people anger us; and we are also infuriated by those who try to forget the 6 million Jews who died during the Holocaust.
Therefore, we fully support your desire to keep the historical truth of the role that the Russian people and the Soviet Union played in defeating Nazi Germany eternally alive in human memory.
This monument – and I strongly hope that you attend the opening ceremony – is a testimony in its own right and a sign of the gratitude we feel towards the Soviet Army and the Russian people. It calls upon us all to fight new Nazism wherever it may be.
Vladimir Putin: Thank you very much for these words. We undoubtedly have a common opinion on these issues. I imagine how glad the veterans of the Great Patriotic War – and especially those living in Israel – will be. I have met them many times. They are very special people, indeed.
As far as I have understood, some 70 creative teams took part in the competition [to design the monument], am I right?
Benjamin Netanyahu: Yes, from all over the world.
Vladimir Putin: From all over the world. When do you plan to unveil the monument?
Benjamin Netanyahu: In May 2012, on the anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany. But only on condition that you attend.
Vladimir Putin: Such an event… Of course.
Did you enjoy your meal in the Kremlin? I hope they served kosher food?
Benjamin Netanyahu: I must say that a lot has improved in Russia since my first visit to this country as a prime minister. First and foremost, the relations between our countries have improved. Over the last twenty years, our points of view have been drawn much closer in practically all areas.
I believe that we need to strengthen the cooperation between our countries even more.
Vladimir Putin: That’s largely due to our compatriots, emigrants from the Soviet Union who are now living in Israel. In fact, their share of the credit should be even larger than ours. They are very active people. They have already established a political party there, as far as I know. They might give you a run for your money at the political level, you know.
Benjamin Netanyahu: We always welcome a little competition.
Vladimir Putin: Good.
