Zelensky says he spoke with Bennett, thanks him for mediation efforts with Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says he talked to Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and thanked him for his efforts to mediate between Moscow and Kyiv.

In an English-language tweet, Zelensky says that the two “discussed ways to end the war and violence.”

Talked to @naftalibennett. Thanked for Israel’s mediation efforts. Discussed ways to end the war and violence.

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) March 8, 2022

He does not say when the call took place. There is no immediate comment from the Prime Minister’s Office.

This would be at least the fifth call between the two leaders since Russia’s invasion began on February 24.

Israel has had an up-and-down relationship with Ukraine since the start of Russia’s invasion on February 24.

Zelensky reached out to Bennett early on, urging him to make use of Israel’s working relations with Kyiv and Moscow to mediate between the sides.

Bennett picked up the gauntlet, traveling to Russia to meet President Vladimir Putin on the Jewish Sabbath, and holding several calls with Zelensky as well, but the efforts have yet to bear fruit.

Ukrainian officials have thanked Israel for its mediation attempts as well as for sending humanitarian aid to civilians fleeing the country, but Zelensky also criticized Bennett last week, saying he felt the premier was not “wrapped in our flag,” a reference to a photo showing an Israeli man wrapped in a Ukrainian flag at the Western Wall.

Kyiv’s ambassador to Tel Aviv has repeatedly lamented Israel’s refusal to send military protective gear for Ukrainian troops, let alone weaponry.