Netanyahu tells Putin delivery of S-300 to ِAssad regime will increase danger

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday (Sep. 24) that supplying advanced weapon systems to “irresponsible players” would increase dangers in the region, Netanyahu’s office said.

In a telephone call held shortly after Russia announced it would supply an S-300 surface-to-air missile system to Assad regime within two weeks, Netanyahu also said he told Putin that Israel would continue to protect its security and interests.

Netanyahu also agreed with Putin on continued coordination between the two countries’ armed forces.

The Kremlin said that Putin told Netanyahu that Russia’s actions aimed at protecting its military.

Russia’s announcement on the missile system came a week after Moscow blamed Israel for indirectly causing the downing of a Russian military plane in Syria. Israel said Assad regime was responsible.

Israel has long lobbied Moscow not to provide the S-300 to Syria, fearing this would hinder its aerial capability to strike buildups of Iranian and Hezbollah militias in Syria.

Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said Moscow had in the past obliged Israel by refraining from supplying Assad regime with the system. But last week’s crash, which killed 15 Russian service members, had forced Moscow to take “adequate retaliatory measures” to keep its troops safe.