Jakarta –
President Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskiy asked Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett to mediate in the conflict with Russia. This was revealed by the Ukrainian envoy to Israel.
“We have been talking with Israel for at least the past year about a possible intermediary role for Israel,” Ambassador Yevgen Korniychuk said as reported by Reuters on Saturday (26/2/2022).
“Our leadership believes that Israel is the only democratic country that has good relations with both countries,” he added.
Korniychuk said Friday’s telephone conversation between the leaders was the fifth time Zelenskiy has asked Bennett for Israeli mediation. He added that he had previously asked former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli President Isaac Herzog.
“I heard (that) this offer was not well received by the Russian side,” Korniychuk said.
Bennett’s spokesman did not immediately respond when asked for comment. While an earlier statement by the Israeli PM’s office about Bennett’s conversations with Zelenskiy did not mention any mediation.
“Bennett reiterated his wish for a swift end to the fighting, and said that he supported the people Ukraine in these difficult days,” the statement said.
The statement added that the Israeli PM offered humanitarian assistance to Kyiv.
When contacted by Reuters, a diplomat at the Russian embassy to Israel declined to comment. He said he was not authorized to speak to the media.
While calling for a peaceful solution in Ukraine, Israel is careful to criticize Russia openly. They have also offered refuge for members of the Ukrainian Jewish community caught in the fighting.
Israel, whose main ally is the United States, condemned Thursday’s invasion of Russia. Israel called it a “serious violation of the international order” and has since remained largely silent on Moscow’s actions.
The Israeli ambassador in Moscow was summoned for talks. This was disclosed by the Russian embassy in Israel.
“Hope is expressed that Israel will treat with due understanding the reasons that prompted the Russian leadership to decide to carry out special military operations to protect civilians in Donbass, demilitarization and denazification. Ukrainesaid the embassy.
(lir/lir)
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