SOCHI. Oct 22 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin said he hopes that Naftali Bennett as Israel's prime minister will pursue continuity in relations with Russia.
"I do hope your government will still pursue continuity in Russian-Israeli relations, despite the internal political battles, which are inevitable for every state," Putin said during talks with Bennett in Sochi.
Russia had "quite businesslike, trusting relations" with the previous government of Israel, he said.
"In any case, we are happy to see the prime minister of Israel in Russia, welcome," Putin said.
Bennett thanked Putin in Russian.
The meeting between the Russian president and the Israeli prime minister is taking place in Sochi offline. Before the protocol part, which is traditionally open to the press, Putin and Bennett had an informal conversation at the entrance to the negotiation hall.
At the beginning of the talks, Putin thanked Bennett for accepting the invitation and coming to Russia, and he again congratulated Bennett on taking the post of Israeli prime minister.