Russian, Israeli Leaders Meet on Mideast Peace, Iran
By VOA News
18 August 2009
Israeli President Shimon Peres says he is confident Russia can play a key role in restarting the stalled Middle East peace process.
Mr. Peres spoke Tuesday, alongside his Russian counterpart, Dmitri Medvedev, after talks in the Russian Black Sea resort city of Sochi.
For his part, Mr. Medvedev said all parties in the Middle East conflict should give up what he called "confrontation scenarios" and adopt a "calmer approach." He also said Russia, as a member of the quartet of international mediators, will promote those goals.
The two leaders also discussed Israeli and Western concerns about Iran's nuclear ambitions. Moscow maintains close commercial ties with the Tehran government.
Both Israel and the United States have accused Iran of clandestine efforts to build a nuclear weapon. Iran says its nuclear program is aimed at peaceful applications.
The two leaders also marked the 70th anniversary of the outbreak of World War II by condemning Holocaust deniers and those who have sought to minimize the contributions of the Soviet Union in defeating Nazi Germany.
The presidents, in a joint statement, called such efforts "a direct affront to everyone ... who fought against Nazism.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP.
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