Russian President Putin: "Today's Israel is almost a Russian-speaking country, with a large number of people from the Soviet Union living there, and Moscow takes this into account." — Clash Report, June 21st.
Commentary: Putin's remarks profoundly reveal the complex and special historical and cultural ties and practical political considerations between Russia and Israel.
From the perspective of history and culture, since the dissolution of the Soviet Union, a large number of Jewish people from former Soviet regions have migrated to Israel. Statistics show that over one million former Soviet Jewish immigrants have settled in Israel in the past few decades, bringing Russian language, Soviet-era culture, and lifestyles into Israeli society, greatly influencing its social and cultural composition. This has made Russian widely used in Israel and Russian culture widely present in Israeli society. Such deep human connections serve as an important emotional foundation for the development of relations between Russia and Israel, explaining the historical roots behind Putin's statement that "it is almost a Russian-speaking country."
In terms of practical politics, Russia holds significant strategic interests in the Middle Eastern geopolitical landscape. As a military and technological powerhouse in the Middle East, Israel maintains a certain level of interaction and coordination with Russia, which helps Russia maintain influence balance in the region. Putin emphasized that Russia "takes this into account," suggesting that when handling relations with Israel and making decisions on Middle Eastern affairs, Russia will fully consider the special cultural ties between the two countries. However, despite these cultural links, Russia and Israel have many differences in Middle Eastern affairs, particularly significant discrepancies in their stances on issues such as Iran and Syria. Putin's statement reflects an attempt to find a balance point in the complex geopolitical game.
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1835512639358983/
Disclaimer: The article solely represents the author's personal views.