Israel’s prime minister Naftali Bennett today met Vladimir Putin in Moscow to discuss the war in Ukraine.

The meeting with the Russian president at the Kremlin was the first by a western leader since the invasion began.

Mr Bennett flew from Israel on Saturday morning. He is religious but broke the normal laws of Shabbat under the exemption to save life, according to his spokesperson.

He was accompanied by Building and Construction Minister Ze'ev Elkin, who was born in Ukraine and acted as translator for the summit, which lasted for two and half hours.

It was planned after a phone call between Mr Bennett and Putin on Wednesday.

Also on the trip as part of the Israeli entourage were National Security Adviser Eyal Hulata, Diplomatic Adviser Shimrit Meir and Spokesman Matan Sidi.

President Biden had been informed before the meeting that it would be taking place, according to Israeli officials.

It follows a request from Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky to Mr Bennett to act as mediator and try and stop the bloodshed following Russia’s invasion.

Mr Bennett spoke to Mr Zelensky after the meeting to brief him on the discussion, according to reports.

The Israeli prime minister flew from Moscow on to Berlin to meet the German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz.

Israel has been maintaining a careful diplomatic position since the outbreak of war. It joined a vote censuring the invasion at the UN and foreign minister Yair Lapid has voiced his condemnation, while Mr Bennett has been far less critical in public.

Observers have noted the importance of Israel keeping the cooperation of Russia in dealing with its client state Syria.