Live UpdateFrom the Liveblog of Thursday, February 16, 2023

In Kyiv, FM says Israel to give Ukraine loan guarantees, help develop missile warning system

By Lazar Berman 16 February 2023, 3:16 pm 1 Edit

Lazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter

Foreign Minister Eli Cohen (left) and his Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba speak during a press conference in Kyiv, Ukraine, on February 16, 2023. (Gleb Garanich/Pool/AFP)

KYIV, Ukraine — After an hour-long meeting with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, Foreign Minister Eli Cohen announces that Israel will provide up to $200 million in loan guarantees for healthcare and civilian infrastructure projects in Ukraine.

He also announces that Israel will “assist Ukraine with developing a smart early warning system.”

“Israel, as stated in the past, stands firmly in solidarity with the people of Ukraine,” says Cohen, “and remains committed to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.”

Kuleba sounds a guardedly positive tone, saying he was “satisfied” with their conversation.

“Israel knows perfectly about our list of security and defense needs,” Kuleba says. “We will be waiting for decisions to be taken.”