British envoy lauds Bennett for mediation efforts between Russia and Ukraine

British ambassador to Israel Neil Wigan speaks with Israeli reporters and compliments Prime Minister Naftali Bennett on his efforts vis-a-vis Russia.

“We appreciate the Prime Minister’s efforts to explore what scope there is for ending this conflict with Russia. Israel has probably the best relationship with both countries of any democracy.”

“As for the chance Bennett’s efforts will succeed? It depends on Putin, and whether he really wants to stop the war and find a diplomatic solution,” he says.

“Bennett is the first leader to have sat down with Putin for three hours since the war began, which is a major achievement. It was the beginning of a process. I don’t think anyone was under the impression it would stop the war the next day. The question is whether Putin is open to a diplomatic solution. It is important to try to stop [Russia’s] attacks via diplomacy, and that is exactly what Bennett tried to do, while keeping the Ukrainians in the picture.”

Wigan also says that the UK is looking to enhance UK-Israel security relationship and that, for the first time in 26 years, his country’s defense minister will pay a visit to Israel.

“It is part of a British move to strengthen security ties with Israel” he says. “The defense secretary will arrive in Israel in the near future. After Foreign Minister [Yair] Lapid signed a strategic agreement between Israel and the UK, we are interested in taking concrete steps forward. Post-Brexit Britain is interested in developing deeper bilateral relations.”

“This is because of Israel’s impressive military capabilities in the advanced battlefield and the integration between the forces. We were interested in this and wanted to improve relations even before the Russo-Ukrainian war.”