Ukrainian presidential adviser says in ‘constant contact’ with Israel amid mediation efforts

Senior Ukrainian presidential adviser Andriy Yermak tweets that he is in “constant contact” with National Security Council head Eyal Hulata, amid efforts by Israel to mediate between Ukraine and Russia.

“Israel undertook the difficult but noble mission of mediating the search for peace and ending Russia’s aggression against Ukraine,” Yermak tweets.

The Ukrainian official also thanks Israel for allowing relatives of those Ukrainians who are already in the country to also be admitted.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has proposed that Jerusalem host ceasefire talks between Kyiv and Moscow, and has asserted that Israel could play an “important role” in the efforts to end the war.

Ukraine has repeatedly pushed Israel for more support since Russia launched its invasion. But Israel has been seeking to avoid antagonizing Russia, which has a strong presence in Syria, where Israel carries out military action against Iran-linked groups.

There have been numerous apparent ups and downs in Kyiv’s relations with Jerusalem in recent days, with Ukraine at times lauding Israel’s diplomatic and humanitarian efforts and at other times strongly criticizing its reluctance to help more than it had done.