Israel’s president delays Australia trip for Putin talks

Israel’s President Reuven Rivlin shakes hands with India’s Minister of External Affairs, Sushma Swaraj, at the President’s residence in Jerusalem, Monday, Jan. 18, 2016. AP File Photo/Pool

JERUSALEM, Undefined—Israeli President Reuven Rivlin said Thursday he was delaying a scheduled visit to Australia next month to instead hold talks in Russia that are likely to focus on Syria.

“Due to regional developments which have occurred in the Middle East, and the need for a meeting between the two presidents in Moscow, President Rivlin has been forced to postpone his planned visit to Australia,” Rivlin’s office said.

Rivlin was due to visit Australia between March 13-22. A date for a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin has not yet been released.

A spokesman for Rivlin could not specify the nature of the meeting with Putin, but the announcement came a day after Russia’s leader held a phone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The discussion was said to be over the partial ceasefire agreement for Syria that Russia has co-brokered with the United States and which is due to take effect on Saturday.

READ: US, Russia announce Syria ceasefire from Saturday

The office of president in Israel is a largely symbolic post, though those who hold the position can still wield influence over diplomacy and public policy.

Rivlin will arrange a later date for the Australia visit, his office said, and speak with Australian officials to “express his disappointment at having to postpone” the trip.

Russia, an ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, launched an air campaign against his regime’s armed opponents in late September.

READ: Iran, Russia vow to oppose ‘external attempts’ to dump Assad

Israel, which has carried out attacks in Syria to prevent arms deliveries to Hezbollah or to target the Lebanese Shiite militia, has taken steps to coordinate its military actions with Moscow.

The ceasefire between the regime and non-jihadist rebels is due to go into effect at 2200 GMT on Friday, as part of efforts to resume peace talks to end five years of war in Syria.