The Ukrainian ambassador to Israel, Yevgen Korniychuk, told the Times of Israel (TOI) that the Ukrainian government is furious over Israeli FM Eli Cohen’s talk with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov on Tuesday.
UKRAINE’S REACTION
Noting that no Israeli FM has spoken to Lavrov since Russia invaded Ukraine on 24 February, Korniychuk said that Cohen’s talk with Lavrov indicated a change in Israel’s stance on the Ukraine issue, adding that Israel’s position remains “unclear.”
Also read: Russia’s Preeminence in Syria Means Israel Will Not Help Ukraine
Calling Israel a “unique” partner of Ukraine, Korniychuk said Israel’s silence in the face of Russian attacks is disappointing. “Unfortunately, we are getting no condemnation of the mass shelling of our civilians in recent months.”
ISRAEL-RUSSIA TALKS
Lavrov called Cohen on Tuesday to congratulate him on his appointment and discuss “bilateral and regional issues.” TOI reported that the call was requested by Moscow, and Kyiv had expected the Israeli government to delay or reject Lavrov’s call.
The Russian FM expressed the Kremlin’s willingness “to work together in order to strengthen multifaceted, mutually beneficial cooperation” with Israel. The ministers discussed the Israel-Palestine issue and emphasised that Moscow is ready to facilitate the relaunch of peace talks.
¹Israeli officials: The conversation between Lavrov and Minister Eli Cohen was a request of the Russians. Blinken was informed that there would be a conversation with Lavrov, and asked in his conversation with Minister Cohen last night to convey messages to Lavrov. https://t.co/TbYkatI10A
— Amichai Stein (@AmichaiStein1) January 3, 2023
The two diplomats also talked about the situation in Ukraine and Lavrov informed Cohen about “certain aspects of the situation in Ukraine in the context of Russia’s special military operation.”
An official familiar with the matter told TOI that Cohen conveyed the US’ concerns about the situation in Ukraine to Lavrov, saying that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken asked the Israeli FM to do so during a separate talk.
However, the source said that the talk with Lavrov is not an indication of any change in Israel’s position on the Russia-Ukraine war.
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.
The request followed Ukraine’s move to completely cut ties with Iran for supplying Russia with the Shahed-136 and Mohajer-6 drones and the Fateh-110 and Zolfaghar ballistic missiles.
ISRAEL’S STANCE
Following Russia’s intervention in the 2015 civil war to prop up the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, 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.