Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke by phone on May 6 to discuss tensions in the Middle East and concerns over how World War II history is being portrayed, according to the Kremlin.
The call took place just ahead of Russia’s Victory Day on May 9, which marks the anniversary of Nazi Germany’s defeat in World War II. During the conversation, Putin sent his best wishes to World War II veterans living in Israel.
Much of their talk focused on preserving the memory of World War II and pushing back against efforts to distort or rewrite history. The Kremlin said both leaders agreed on the importance of defending the truth about the war and the Holocaust. Putin strongly criticized ongoing attempts to revise historical facts and reaffirmed Russia’s position ahead of the commemorative events.
The statement also emphasized the Soviet Union’s role in defeating Nazi Germany and noted that May 9 is recognized as a holiday in both Russia and Israel. Both leaders expressed concern about growing efforts to falsify history and stressed the need for a united response.
