JERUSALEM — An Israeli official said the country's prime minister had been formally invited to Russia.
He said Benjamin Netanyahu received a letter Wednesday from President Vladimir Putin inviting him to visit Moscow "for discussions."
Talks about Iran's nuclear program and violence in Syria are likely to be on the agenda. Russia has good relations with Israel's arch foes Iran and Syria.
Israel and Russia enjoy generally friendly ties, and have deep economic and cultural relations bolstered by the more than a million immigrants from the former Soviet Union who live in Israel. Putin visited Israel last year.
Netanyahu has not yet responded to the invitation, the official said on condition of anonymity, according to protocol.
Putin also congratulated Netanyahu on forming his new government, he said.
(AP)
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