Bennett played key role in mediating Russia-Ukraine talks – Financial Times

The Financial Times reports that Prime Minister Naftali Bennett played a central role in advancing talks between Ukraine and Russia.

The British newspaper, which is reporting details on a 15-point proposal that it says the sides are nearing agreement on, says Bennett was “the primary international mediator on the talks.”

It attributed the information to three people familiar with the matter.

Bennett has held several phone calls with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and flew to Moscow to meet with Putin earlier this month.

Israel is one of the few countries that maintains good working ties with both Ukraine and Russia. Bennett has defended his decision to not send arms or other military aid to Ukraine as necessary to maintain his status as a neutral broker.

A senior aide to Zelensky earlier dismissed the Financial Times reporting, saying the draft agreement only represented Russia’s stance.

Israeli officials have been careful in the past not to exaggerate Bennett’s role and say he is not actively making proposals or pressuring the sides. Instead, they describe him as a channel of communication, passing messages from the sides in what they describe as a frank and realistic manner.

The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were discussing diplomatic efforts, say there has been a “positive shift” in the rhetoric from both sides.

AP contributed.