- November 20, 2024
- 10:08 pm
- Ukraine
“Israel made a mistake – at the political level, not at the people's level, because we have always had very good contacts with society.”
President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky November 20, 2024 in an interview for FoxNews addressed a topic that has become painful for Ukrainian-Israeli relations – Israel’s refusal to provide weapons to Ukraine. This decision, according to Zelensky, was a “mistake at the political level,” which affected the prospects for interaction between the two countries.
Why did Israel refuse to help?
In a conversation with correspondent Trey Yingst, the president emphasized that from the very beginning of a full-scale war, Ukraine was counting on Israeli help. However, the refusal was due, in his opinion, to the Israeli leaders’ fear of Vladimir Putin’s reaction.
“We wanted this from the very beginning of the full-scale war, but I think Israel made a mistake – at the political level, not at the people's level, since we have always had very good contacts with society. When Putin attacked and a full-scale war began, I asked the Israeli leaders to help us, but they were afraid of Putin. I think so. “I talked about this with European leaders and with the American administration so that they could help me about Israel, to get help from it, in particular air defense systems,” Zelensky said.
At the same time, he noted that at the societal level, relations between the countries remain good, but the political elites of Israel made a decision that greatly disappointed Kyiv.
Cooperation between Ukraine and Israel: what is it based on?
Although Zelensky did not directly answer the question about the current coordination between Ukraine and Israel, the possibility of supplying air defense systems and early warning systems was previously discussed. However, real steps in this direction still remain in question.
Some key points:
- Ukraine has repeatedly asked for Israeli air defense systems to protect cities from missile attacks.
- Israel limited its assistance to humanitarian support, avoiding direct military assistance.
- Recent Israeli strikes on Iranian missile factories were recognized by Zelensky as indirectly beneficial for Ukraine.
Quote: “We benefited from Israeli actions against Iranian targets, but the assistance could have been more significant.”
Occupied territories and the prospect of war
Zelensky also noted that Ukraine cannot legally recognize the occupied territories as Russian as part of a possible peace agreement. However, he added that the lack of weapons makes returning these areas to the 1991 borders a difficult task.
Regarding Crimea, the president emphasized that Kyiv plans to return the peninsula through diplomatic means:
Zelensky: “We cannot allow tens of thousands of Ukrainians to die for the return of Crimea.”
These statements highlight Ukraine's strategic approach: balancing the need for military support with realism in the face of limited resources.
If the US cuts aid
When asked about a possible reduction in American support, Zelensky answered directly:
Zelensky: “If Ukraine loses the help of the West, especially the United States, it will lose the war.”
This phrase reflects Kyiv's dependence on Western aid, which remains a key factor in resisting Russian aggression.
Israel's role in the conflict: key findings
| Position | Opinion |
|---|---|
| Ukraine | She expected Israel to supply weapons, especially air defense systems, but received only humanitarian aid. |
| Israel | He avoided military assistance for fear of worsening relations with Russia. |
| USA and Europe | They supported Ukraine in its attempts to obtain Israeli assistance, but did not achieve significant success. |
Resume
- Zelensky called Israel’s refusal to provide weapons to Ukraine a “political mistake.”
- Kyiv continues to push for security cooperation, especially in air defense.
- The occupied territories remain a key issue, but diplomacy is becoming a priority tool on the issue of Crimea.
- Western assistance, especially from the United States, remains vital to Ukraine's resistance.
NAnews – Israel News will continue to monitor the development of diplomatic relations between Kiev and Jerusalem, providing their readers with the most current and complete information.
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