Putin's Israeli visit to focus on Iran

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Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Israel on Monday for talks with Israeli and Palestinian leaders against the backdrop of sustained violence in Syria and concern on Iran's nuclear issue.

Putin arrived at midday for a first stop in the northern Israeli coastal city of Netanya, where he participated in the unveiling of a memorial honoring the role of the Red Army in World War II.

Later on Monday, he was scheduled to hold talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Shimon Peres that officials have said would focus on Iran's nuclear program.

On Tuesday, Putin will head to the West Bank and meet Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas, and then travel to Jordan for talks with King Abdullah II.

Moscow and the West have been at loggerheads over the Syrian conflict, with the Kremlin refusing to support sanctions against Damascus and resisting outside intervention. Also high on Putin's agenda will be the issue of Iran's nuclear program, which is a key concern for the Jewish state.

Israel wants Russia to pressure Iran to abandon its uranium enrichment program, which Israel and the United States believe is designed to produce bombs. Iran says the program is for civilian purposes only. Israel has said the program poses an existential threat and warned it reserves the right to use all means necessary to respond, including military force.

The international community has been pushing for talks with Teheran in recent months, but three high-level meetings including the most recent held in Moscow, have failed to produce any breakthroughs.

The P5+1 group (China, Britain, France, Russia and the United States, plus Germany) has agreed to another round of discussions in Istanbul on July 3, but Israel has warned that lengthy talks give Iran time to continue uranium enrichment.

Questions:

1. Where did Putin arrive midday on his first stop?

2. Who will he meet on Tuesday in the West Bank?

3. What countries make up the P5+1 group?

Answers:

1. Netanya.

2. Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas.

3. China, Britain, France, Russia and the United States, plus Germany.

About the broadcaster:

Lee Hannon is Chief Editor at China Daily with 15-years experience in print and broadcast journalism. Born in England, Lee has traveled extensively around the world as a journalist including four years as a senior editor in Los Angeles. He now lives in Beijing and is happy to move to China and join the China Daily team.