“For 2025 to be the year of victory for Ukraine and Israel, democracies must unite,” Boris Lozhkin, president of the Jewish Confederation of Ukraine (JCU) in an article for The Jerusalem Post

Ukraine and Israel continue to fight for their rights and security, despite threats. Boris Lozhkin, president of the Jewish Confederation of Ukraine, is confident that 2025 could be a year of victory for both peoples if democratic countries act together.

“For 2025 to be the year of victory for Ukraine and Israel, democracies must unite”– emphasizes Boris LozhkinPresident of the Jewish Confederation of Ukraine (JCU) in an article for The Jerusalem Post.

This statement reflects not only his personal confidence, but also the urgency of the situation in which two peoples find themselves: Ukrainians and Israelis.

Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine has been going on for almost three years. Its destructive influence is felt by Ukrainian Jews along with all Ukrainians.

Lozhkin, who is also vice-president of the World Jewish Congress and the European Jewish Congress, speaks of the importance of solidarity between the two countries in the fight against aggression that threatens their existence.

— In what mood are Ukrainian Jews ending this year and what do they expect from 2025?

“The mood is the same as all Ukrainians: to survive.

It is easy for Israelis to imagine the situation the Ukrainians are in. Since Israel has practically not come out of the state of war for all 76 years of its independence. But for representatives of other countries, if this is not the former Soviet bloc, it is not so easy to understand from whom Ukraine is defending itself. And from what do Ukrainians protect the whole of Europe, and the world in general?

We are in Europe, the Israelis are in the Middle East. Together we today confront a threat the world has not faced since World War II. And we simply must win. Both Ukrainians and Israelis have no other option. As Golda Meir said: “Our enemies want to destroy us, we want to live. This doesn't leave much room for compromise.” Suitable for the situation in both Ukraine and Israel.”

Confrontation with Russia and the restoration of Jewish heritage

One of the central elements of the discussion at 5th Kiev Jewish Forumrecently held in Washington, the topic was the restoration of Jewish monuments in Ukraine, destroyed as a result of hostilities.

Particularly noteworthy is the case with menorah in Drobitsky Yar – the site of the mass execution of Jews in the occupied territories during the Second World War. In 2022, this menorah was destroyed by Russian troops, becoming a symbol of the destruction and pain that the war brought. The restoration of the monument, as Lozhkin says, is not just an act of memory, but also a symbol of the courage and resilience of the Ukrainian people.

Objectives for 2025: a view from Kyiv and Tel Aviv

The idea was repeatedly voiced on the forum that USA play a key role in ending these conflicts. Thus, Lozhkin believes that further US actions can significantly affect the outcome of the war. It is America, according to the president of the JCU, that can lead to an end to the conflict with positive results for Ukraine, as well as support Israel in the fight against the threat from Iran.

“Everything depends on American support,” Lozhkin added.

Against this background, it is important to note that Ukraine and Israel are united not only by military strugglebut also cultural and historical heritage. Both countries have deep ties to the Jewish people, and it is this cultural affinity that will help them build a future that prioritizes peace, democratic values ​​and the protection of human rights.

How does Ukraine support Israel?

Particular attention should be paid to the topic anti-Semitism and relations between Ukraine and Israel. During discussions on Kiev Jewish Forum it was noted that after the October 7 tragedies in Israel, Ukrainians expressed their support for Israel. More than 69% of Ukrainians support Israel in its fight against the terrorist threat. This is surprising, given that many European countries, on the contrary, have witnessed an increase in anti-Semitic sentiments.

Perhaps the reason lies in the fact that Ukrainians understand well what it means to be under the threat of destruction. As one forum participant put it: “On the morning of February 24, 2022, Ukrainians woke up to the sounds of explosions, just like the Israelis after the Hamas attack.”

The role of cultural initiatives: books and memory

Cultural initiatives play an important role in strengthening ties between peoples. As part of the work Jewish Confederation of Ukraine a series of books about Israel and Jewish culture, translated into Ukrainian, was organized. For example, Golda Meir's memoirs were recently released in Ukraine, becoming an important part of cultural exchange between the two countries. These books help to deepen mutual understanding and demonstrate the desire of Ukrainians to know about the history of the Jewish people.

What will 2025 bring?

Could 2025 bring peace?

“It depends not only on Ukrainians. In 2022, few people in the world believed that Ukraine would last more than three days. The third year of the most active phase is ending. But I want to remind you: the Russian-Ukrainian war has been going on for almost eleven years. I would like to see an end to this in 2025. What it will be depends largely on the partners.”

Boris Lozhkin, reflecting on the future, is confident that 2025 can become a landmark year. However, everything depends on the allies of Ukraine and Israel, and above all on the United States. “We need democracies to unite to win”“, Lozhkin noted, adding that only with the support of partners is it possible to achieve peace and stability.

— Another topic that I couldn’t help but touch upon Kyiv Jewish Forumthere was a sharp increase in the level of anti-Semitism. How did it happen that after October 7, Ukraine turned out to be almost the only country in Europe where there were no anti-Israeli and anti-Semitic protests?

“The answer here also lies in our wars. The Hamas attack on Israel reminded Ukrainians of the morning of February 24, 2022, when the entire country woke up to rocket attacks and columns of Russian equipment crossed the border. The massacre at Reim and other kibbutzim near Gaza recalled the tragedies of Bucha and Mariupol. The Ukrainians simply could not take the position of terrorists. Therefore, 69% were in support of Israel, and only 1% were against.

What began to happen on university campuses in the USA and Europe after October 7, and ultimately resulted in a pogrom in Amsterdam, bypassed Ukraine.

In Ukraine and Israel today there is a struggle between democracy and tyranny – almost all speakers emphasized this. I completely agree. But to prevent the world from returning to a time where orders are established by brute force, Ukrainians and Israelis need help. Timely and sufficient to achieve two convincing victories.

Hopefully in 2025 we will be able to say with relief that the danger is behind us.”

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