From the Liveblog of
Sunday, September 22, 2024
FM Katz discusses with Ukrainian counterpart combating Russian-Iranian partnership
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleLazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter
Foreign Minister Israel Katz and his Ukrainian counterpart Andrii Sybiha speak for the first time by phone in a conversation initiated by Katz.
Israel had no specific requests from Kyiv, the Ukrainian side tells The Times of Israel.
According to Kyiv, Sybiha thanks Katz for his support for Ukraine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and formula for ending the war.
Most of the conversation centers on the threat from the Russian-Iranian collaboration, especially keeping ballistic missiles from terrorists. The sides discuss threats from Russian-Iranian cooperation and efforts to counteract any possible supply of ballistic missiles to the terrorist states.
Sybiha was interested in meeting Katz at the United Nations this week, but Israel’s top diplomat will not be making the trip.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky were supposed to meet there, but with Netanyahu shortening his trip, that meeting is not yet finalized.
Israeli and Ukrainian officials met last week to discuss the upcoming Hasidic pilgrimage to Uman on Rosh Hashanah, which is expected to be even bigger than last year, when over 30,000 pilgrims made the journey.
Ukraine asked Israel to erect temporary bomb shelters for the worshipers and to bring more Israeli police officers than last year. According to a Ukrainian official, Israel responded positively to both requests.
The Times of Israel Community.