From the Liveblog of
Wednesday, March 16, 2022
Zelensky’s deputy bureau chief: Israel’s government not ‘doing the right things’
Ihor Zhovkva, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s deputy chief of staff, is asked in an interview, in his office with a Channel 12 reporter, about Ukraine’s criticism of Israeli government policy on the war:
“We would not criticize your government if your government would do [the] right things,” he answers. “Look at what is happening with these quotas: You are refusing Ukrainians to enter your country… This is unbelievable in this state of war.”
He also protests that Israel failed to “react strongly” when Russian missiles hit the Babyn Yar area early in the war.
As for Prime Minister Bennett’s mediation efforts, Zhovka says: “It’s good that he’s trying. We really see that he’s trying, and my president keeps talking to him regularly. But unfortunately, there is still no result.”
In another interview, this one conducted from Channel 12’s studio, Vitali Klitschko, the mayor of Kyiv, is warmer, dodging a question about Israel’s official stance and stressing: “We always have good communication, a good relationship with Israel.”
He quickly moves onto the threat posed to Ukraine in general and specifically Kyiv: “Russian wants to rebuild the Soviet empire… We were already part of the Soviet Union and we don’t want a Soviet Union 2. We see our future as part of the European family, as a modern democratic country, with the name Ukraine.”
Asked whether Bennett can succeed as a mediator, Klitschko says: We have to use every political, diplomatic level to stop this war… But please support Ukraine.”
“The Russians will never be in the capital of Ukraine,” he pledges. “We are ready to die, but we will never give our city to another people, to aggressors.”
Klitschko ends the interview by sending “big regards to Israel,” adding, “Support Ukraine, please. We need support. And we see who are real friends of Ukraine, especially in this time.”
