Ukraine: Netanyahu and Zelensky spoke on phone, PM backed Ukraine’s territorial integrity
Netanyahu reportedly initiated call and praises Ukrainian air defenses after major Russian missile attack; no confirmation of talks from Israel
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky by phone on Wednesday, Kyiv said.
There was no Israeli confirmation or readout of the call.
“The parties discussed the situation in the Middle East region,” Sergii Nykyforov, the Ukrainian leader’s press secretary said. “Prime Minister Netanyahu expressed support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.”
“Volodymyr Zelensky thanked Israel for participating in the inaugural Peace Summit and the support of the final communique,” he said. “The parties have agreed on further contacts.”
In June, Israel participated in a two-day summit in Switzerland focused “on pathways towards a comprehensive, just and lasting peace for Ukraine.” The summit was attended by some 100 countries, but Russia did not participate, nor did its ally China.
The Haaretz daily reported on Wednesday, citing an unnamed senior Ukrainian diplomat, that the Wednesday conversation was held at Netanyahu’s initiative, and that the prime minister praised Ukraine for its defense against Russia’s Monday night missile and drone attack, one of the largest of the war so far.
At least seven people were killed in the attack, and dozens were wounded, according to the BBC. The attack damaged Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, causing widespread blackouts.
Netanyahu reportedly compared the attack to Iran’s direct attack on Israel in April, when the Islamic Republic fired hundreds of missiles and drones at the country, almost all of which were intercepted.
The call came as Israel was bracing for another potential attack, as Iran has vowed to retaliate for the killing on its soil of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, for which Israel has neither claimed nor denied responsibility.
Netanyahu and Zelensky agreed to meet in September, Haaretz reported, when they both plan to be in New York for the United Nations General Assembly.
The conversation Wednesday was at least the second the two have held since war broke out between Israel and the Hamas terror group on October 7, 2023, when thousands of Hamas-led terrorists burst into southern Israel from the Gaza Strip, killing some 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages.
Zelensky expressed support for Israel after the Hamas attack, and called for increased security cooperation between the two countries. He also expressed a desire to visit Israel, though the trip never materialized.
Israel has publicly supported Ukraine in its war to stave off Russia’s 2022 invasion, but has refrained from sending the country any military equipment it has requested, specifically including air defense systems.
Israel has been wary of antagonizing Moscow. Israel and Russia have a tense but working relationship in Syria, where Israel’s military sometimes operates against Iranian proxy groups. Netanyahu has also said he worries that Israeli technology sent to Ukraine could end up in Russian or Iranian hands.
The call also comes ahead of the Jewish New Year, when tens of thousands of ultra-Orthodox pilgrims are expected to travel to Uman in Ukraine despite the war.
Thousands of Orthodox Jews come to Uman from Israel and other parts of the world every year to celebrate the holiday in the central Ukrainian city, the birthplace of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov, one of the founders of the Hasidic movement.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Kyiv has urged pilgrims not to travel to Uman, which has been targeted by lethal airstrikes.
