On the eve of the expected visit to Kyiv by Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen, the Ukrainian authorities demand that the Israeli side publicly condemn the actions of the Russian Federation and issue a large loan to Kyiv. This was announced on Sunday by the Walla portal, citing Ukrainian and Israeli sources.
According to them, before the visit, the Ukrainian side sent Israel a list of demands, which includes a request for approval of a $500 million loan, as well as a call to “make a clear public statement against the Russian invasion and in support of the territorial integrity of Ukraine.” In addition, Kyiv expects Israel to support the “peace plan” of the Ukrainian president. Vladimir Zelenskysuggesting the withdrawal of Russian troops outside the territory that Ukraine considers its own, the portal writes.
In addition, the sources of the portal indicate that Kyiv expects the Jewish state to help with the treatment of “hundreds of Ukrainian soldiers and civilians” affected by the hostilities, and also expects from the new Israeli government a confirmation of the obligation to help Ukraine with the creation of a new air attack warning system. , which was promised by the previous Israeli cabinet.
According to a Ukrainian source of the portal, Kyiv believes that “the degree of responsiveness to Ukraine’s requests during Cohen’s visit will testify to the sincerity of Israel’s intentions.”
Cohen announced on January 30 that he intended to visit Kyiv in the near future. He noted that he would be the first minister from the Middle East to visit the Ukrainian capital. Cohen added that the Israeli embassy will fully resume its activities in Kyiv in the coming weeks.
In Israel, on December 29, 2022, a new government was sworn in, led by the leader of the Likud party. Benjamin Netanyahu. Cohen, who took over as foreign minister, speaking at the inauguration ceremony about the foreign policy of the new cabinet, stressed that now Israel “will speak less publicly” about the situation around Ukraine, but will continue to provide humanitarian assistance to Kyiv.
