Soviet Ambassador Dimitri Chuvakbin called on Premier Levi Eshkol for what was reliably reported as an “important conference, ” held at the Ambassador’s request.
It was understood that the Soviet envoy wished to explain to the Premier that the Soviet Union’s decision to resume large-scale aid to the new Syrian regime should not affect the improvement in Russian-Israeli relations. It was also understood that during his forthcoming visit to Egypt, Soviet Premier Kosygin will use his influence with President Nasser to try to reinforce peace in the Middle East.
Political sources stressed the importance of the Chuvakhin-Eshkol meeting as indicating that the Soviet Union appreciated Israel’s desire to improve relations with the USSR. It was also noted here that during a dinner in the Kremlin tendered to Syrian President Yousuf Zain, Premier Kosygin departed from previous practice by avoiding mention of Israel but calling for world and regional peace.
It was believed that the Soviet envoy and Premier Eshkol reviewed economic ties between Israel and the Soviet Union and that they agreed to seek ways to further expand trade relations.
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