Israeli PM holds talks with Zelensky after meeting with Putin

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin on Saturday to discuss the war in Ukraine and then spoke by phone with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky.

That's according to Bennett's spokesperson, Ukrinform reports, citing Reuters.

Zelensky confirmed the conversation by posting to his Twitter account: "Prime Minister of Israel Naftali Bennet called me after his meeting with Vladimir Putin. We continue dialogue."

Bennett is coordinating his efforts in the crisis with the United States, France and Germany, an Israeli official said.

After his meeting with Putin, Bennett headed to Berlin for talks with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, his spokesperson said.

French President Emmanuel Macron had spoken to Bennett before he flew to Moscow to brief him on his own conversations with Putin, the Elysée Palace said.

"They will stay in touch with the aim of obtaining a ceasefire, and this in coordination with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz," an Elysée official said.