Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said that Russian President Vladimir Putin back in 2021 categorically refused to meet with his Ukrainian counterpart Vladimir Zelensky, declaring neo-Nazi sentiment in Kyiv, which was indulged by the Ukrainian authorities. Bennett's interview is posted on the YouTube channel.

The former prime minister of Israel said that Zelensky himself asked him to try to establish contact with Putin.

“When it became known about my visit to Russia, I got a call from someone named Zelensky, the President of Ukraine. He is said to be Jewish and a comedian. Imagine that Hanoch Daum became prime minister,” he recalled.

Bennett noted that the Ukrainian leader "politely asked to convey to Putin a request to call him, to meet with him."

“I waited with this request. Putin and I talked for five and a half hours, talked, and then I say: “Listen, Zelensky asked, and I ask on his behalf that you meet,” he said.

After that, says the Israeli ex-premier, the tone of the conversation "changed dramatically."

“Until then, Putin was the sweetest conversationalist, and suddenly - an icy look: “They are Nazis, they are fomenting a war. I won't date him." He has a whole theory about this, ”said Bennett.

He admitted that this change in the tone of his conversation with Putin came as a surprise to him.

“I was surprised by this sudden change of mood. Then he thawed again, ”concluded the politician.

In addition, the ex-Prime Minister of Israel announced that there were 17 drafts of an agreement between the Russian Federation and Ukraine.