Netanyahu thanks Putin for discovery of soldier's remains

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday thanked Russia for its assistance in finding the remains of an Israeli soldier missing in battle since 1982.

Netanyahu is meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow visit just five days before parliamentary elections at home. The vote is largely seen as a referendum on Netanyahu, who has campaigned on his foreign policy prowess and relations with world leaders.

On Wednesday, Israel announced the recovery of the remains of a soldier who went missing in a 1982 battle with Syrian forces in southern Lebanon. Putin acknowledged that Russia had worked to retrieve Zachary Baumel's remains from Syria.

"Our military together with Syrian partners established the place of his burial," Putin said at the start of the meeting. "We are very pleased that at home they can give him the necessary military honours."
Before departing from Israel, Netanyahu said he and Putin would "discuss events in Syria," including the "special coordination between our militaries."