Fact Check: Putin claims Israel is almost a Russian-speaking country with 2 million Russian speakers.

Fact Check: "Putin claims Israel is almost a Russian-speaking country with 2 million Russian speakers."

What We Know

On June 20, 2025, during the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Israel is home to nearly 2 million people from Russia and other former Soviet nations. He emphasized that this demographic factor is significant in Russia's diplomatic considerations regarding Israel and Iran (AP News, Washington Post). This claim aligns with various demographic studies indicating that a substantial portion of Israel's population consists of Russian speakers, particularly those who immigrated in the 1990s following the dissolution of the Soviet Union (News18, Ynet News).

Analysis

Putin's assertion that Israel has a significant Russian-speaking population is supported by demographic data. According to estimates, around 1.5 million to 2 million Russian speakers reside in Israel, primarily due to immigration waves from the former Soviet Union in the late 20th century. This demographic shift has made Russian one of the most widely spoken languages in Israel, contributing to the cultural and social landscape of the country (AP News, Washington Post).

The sources cited are credible, including major news organizations like the Associated Press and the Washington Post, which have established reputations for reliable reporting. However, it is essential to note that while Putin's claim is factually accurate regarding the number of Russian speakers, the framing of Israel as "almost a Russian-speaking country" could be seen as an exaggeration. The term "almost" implies a level of cultural dominance that may not fully reflect the linguistic diversity present in Israel, where Hebrew and Arabic are the official languages (Ynet News).

Conclusion

The claim that "Putin claims Israel is almost a Russian-speaking country with 2 million Russian speakers" is True. Putin's statement regarding the presence of nearly 2 million Russian speakers in Israel is supported by demographic evidence. However, the characterization of Israel as "almost a Russian-speaking country" may overstate the linguistic landscape, as Hebrew and Arabic remain the primary languages of the state.

Fact Check: Putin claims Israel is almost a Russian-speaking country with 2 million Russian speakers.