Prime Minister and Defense Minister Binyamin Netanyahu will take off on Thursday for a diplomatic visit to Sochi where he will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Netanyahu's office said that the leaders will discuss regional issues, including the situation in Syria, "with an emphasis on tightening military coordination mechanisms." During the brief visit, Netanyahu will also meet with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. The prime minister will be accompanied by National Security Advisor Meir Ben Shabbat and the head of military intelligence, Tamir Heyman. Netanyahu is hoping to receive a gesture from Russia on the eve of the election - the holding of another summit of national security advisers from Russia, Israel and the United States - in Jerusalem.