Vladimir Putin at the opening of Beis Menachem Jewish Community Centre.
In his speech, President Putin said that it was the first Jewish Community Centre in Eastern Europe, emphasising the significance of the event.
Mr Putin said spiritual revival of the country would not be possible without a clear understanding that Russian culture was a mixture of traditions of all the people that have lived in the country for many centuries.
The President also expressed hope that the centre would promote deeper and broader ties with Russian expatriates living in Israel and other countries.