Russia’s ambassador to Israel, Anatoly Viktorov, says he personally knows incoming Mossad chief Roman Gofman and revealed that security officials from the two countries continue to maintain contacts and discuss shared threats.

In an interview with Russian television channel RTVI, Viktorov said he had met Gofman on previous occasions and suggested there would be plenty for the two sides to discuss.

“We have things to talk about, we have experience to exchange, and we have things to warn each other about,” Viktorov said.

The ambassador also rejected criticism of Moscow’s contacts with Hamas, arguing that Russia has never supported terrorism and was not responsible for the creation of the terror organization. He said Russia’s contacts with Hamas have been used to pursue humanitarian objectives and helped secure the release of hostages who held Russian citizenship.

Viktorov reiterated Russia’s support for the establishment of a Palestinian state and said he does not expect Israel’s election campaign to produce a dramatic change in relations between Jerusalem and Moscow.

The ambassador also praised Israel for declining to join Western sanctions against Russia and for not supplying lethal weapons to Ukraine.

Turning to economic and aviation ties, Viktorov expressed hope that direct flights to Israel by El Al and Aeroflot will resume and said Russia intends to remain a major supplier of grain to Israel.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)