Vladimir Putin, the president-elect of Russia, intends to visit Israel this summer.
The date has yet to be formally announced, the Israeli media reported, but will come after Putin’s May 7 inauguration.
Putin reportedly is interested in unveiling a monument in Netanya to Jewish Red Army soldiers who fought in World War II, the daily newspaper Haaretz reported, citing a senior Israeli official.
A Putin visit last year was canceled due to a strike by Israeli Foreign Ministry employees.
Putin is scheduled to travel to the United States on May 20 for the G8 summit, where he is expected to meet with President Barack Obama. — jta