MOSCOW, May 5. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has congratulated Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett with the Independence Day of Israel, celebrated on May 5, the Kremlin’s press office said in a statement on Thursday.

"The head of the Russian state has extended his warm congratulations to Naftali Bennett and the people of Israel on the occasion of today’s national holiday - the Independence Day," the statement reads adding that Putin and Bennett held a telephone conversation earlier in the day.

The Kremlin’s press office also said in its statement that both leaders "expressed mutual interest in the future development of the Russian-Israeli ties and further support of useful contacts between the authorities of two countries."