On Wednesday, Russia warned Israel against supplying military aid to Ukraine after Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said he was considering supplying weapons to Kyiv and willing to mediate the conflict.
“We say that all countries that supply weapons [to Ukraine] should understand that we will consider these [weapons] to be legitimate targets for Russia’s armed forces,” Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova warned, adding that any attempt to supply military support “will lead to an escalation of this crisis.”
Netanyahu Offers to Play Mediator
Zakharova’s warning comes against the backdrop of Netanyahu stating that Israel is “looking into” the kind of weapons that could be supplied to Ukraine.
Netanyahu says he will consider becoming a mediator between Putin and Zelenksyy "if I'm asked by both sides, and frankly, if I'm asked by the United States."
— Jacob Kornbluh (@jacobkornbluh) February 1, 2023
Netanyahu also revealed that he was asked to mediate between Russia and Ukraine in the early days of the war due to his close relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, but refused. However, he told CNN that he would “certainly consider” playing mediator between Russia and Ukraine, if all parties, including the US, were to ask him to do so.
Ukraine’s Ask for Israeli Weapons
In October, Ukraine asked Israel for defensive support, including air defence systems, such as the Iron Dome, Iron Beam, Barak-8, Patriot, David’s Sling, and the Arrow, to defend against Iranian drones and ballistic missiles used by Russia.
However, then Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz refused Kyiv’s request, following Russia’s warning that Israel arming Ukraine would “destroy” all ties between Moscow and Israel.
Netanyahu says that Israel could provide Ukraine with Iron Dome systems and is helping Ukraine counter Russia's use of Iranian munitions
— Samuel Ramani (@SamRamani2) February 1, 2023
The Iron Dome comment is unlikely to produce a swift breakthrough but intelligence sharing on the Iranian UAV threat is more significant
At the same time, Netanyahu had warned that weapons supplied to Ukraine could end up in the hands of Israel’s rivals, especially Iran, which has reportedly sent its paramilitary forces to Crimea to help Russia.
Israel’s Stance
Following Russia’s intervention to prop up the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in the 2015 civil war, Israel has been forced to maintain a direct line of communication with Russia regarding its operations to prevent an incident in which Israeli airstrikes target Russian forces.
Therefore, Israel is keen on maintaining the status quo and not jeopardising ties with Russia. Thus far, it has only provided Ukraine with humanitarian aid and protective equipment, such as helmets and bulletproof vests, refraining entirely from providing advanced weaponry and defensive weapon systems.
Israel’s Policy Review
Despite the circumstances, three senior Israeli officials revealed that Netanyahu has ordered a policy review of Israel’s response to the Ukraine war and the possibility of providing military support to Kyiv, which will be led by the National Security Council, with the Defence and Foreign ministries contributing to it, along with Mossad.
4/ But news of Iran providing drones to Russia has altered the dynamics.
— Ken Moriyasu (@kenmoriyasu) January 31, 2023
Now both Israel and the U.S. have a common goal of thwarting Tehran's ability to help Russia.
In fact, Netanyahu informed US Secretary of State Antony Blinken of the same, emphasising that his administration would not cut off support to the Kyiv regime, and keep providing the same amount of help — if not more — as the previous Israeli government did.
As per a senior Israeli official, the Biden administration is aware that Netanyahu’s support will not lean more toward Russia.