Prime Minister Ariel Sharon spoke this afternoon, with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The two leaders discussed the Iranian issue and Israel-Palestinian Authority relations.  Russian President Putin said that Russia’s position on terrorism was, and remains, that there can be no justification for any kind of terrorism and that it cannot be tolerated.

On the Iranian issue, Russian President Putin said Russia had expressed its disappointment over the Iranian President’s remarks about Israel.  Prime Minister Sharon told the Russian President that both the Iranian President’s recent remarks and Iran’s continuing efforts to arm itself with nuclear weapons required that the issue be transferred to the UN Security Council as soon as possible.

Prime Minister Sharon told Russian President Putin that he is working to find solutions to the issue of Russian property in Jerusalem.  The Russian President thanked the Prime Minister and said that this would contribute to bilateral relations, adding that he was interested in advancing bilateral relations in all areas.