It is extremely rare for an Israeli head of government to act as an active and public mediator.

In the conflicts in the Middle East it is usually the other way around: Israel finds itself in the role of the party that is offered mediation.

Naftali Bennett's trip to Moscow and then to Berlin at the weekend attracted a great deal of attention.

Helen Bubrowski

Political correspondent in Berlin.

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Christian Meier

Political correspondent for the Middle East and Northeast Africa.

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It was uncertain on Sunday afternoon whether the surprise visit to Russian President Vladimir Putin would stir up diplomatic efforts to halt the Russian attack on Ukraine.

In Berlin, the assessment was spread that talks in this situation were a value in themselves.

It doesn't sound like a solution is on the horizon.

After all, the mood is said not to have been quite as uncomfortable as in the conversation between Putin and French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday.

At the start of the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem, Bennett himself said that "naturally" he could not divulge any details of the trip.

However, he pointed out that Israel has access to all sides – meaning above all the warring parties Russia and Ukraine.

And even if the chance of success is not great, he sees it as a "moral obligation to make every effort".

Israel remains ready to provide support if needed.

Three conversations with Zelenskyj

A few hours earlier, the Israeli prime minister had returned from his brief visit, which had been kept secret until recently.

In the Kremlin, he spoke to the Russian President for about three hours on Saturday evening.

Ze'ev Elkin, Israel's Minister of Housing and Jerusalem Affairs, acted as interpreter.

The Russian-speaking Elkin had already taken on this role several times during the reign of Benjamin Netanyahu.

He was born in Kharkiv - the second largest city in Ukraine in the east of the country, which has been under Russian fire for days.

After the meeting with Putin, Bennett phoned Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy;

both spoke to each other three times until Sunday afternoon.

Macron also informed Bennett before he flew to Berlin.

He was actually expected there around 7 p.m., it was 11 p.m.

Bennett exchanged views with Olaf Scholz for a good hour and a half.

The Chancellor himself last spoke to Putin on Friday.

And the Israeli's efforts continued on Sunday.

Again he spoke to the Russian President, this time on the phone.

"The detailed exchange of views on the situation related to Russia's special military operation to protect Donbass continued (...)," the Kremlin said.

He is said to have spoken again with Macron and Scholz.

Bennett and Scholz only saw each other on Wednesday, when the Chancellor flew to Israel for his inaugural visit.

As can now be heard, both spoke not only about the war in Ukraine, but also specifically about Bennett's role as a mediator.

Scholz is said to have encouraged him.

From Berlin's point of view, Bennett is a good choice for a number of reasons.

He is not a party to the conflict, but is said to have a connection to Putin.

The enthusiasm for the military unites, it is said.

A large Russian minority also lives in Israel.