Zelenskyy on Israel and air defence: Netanyahu promises to sort it out
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has reported that the former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu assured the Ukrainian President that he will "sort it out" and "think" how to help Ukraine in receiving Israeli air defence systems.
Source: Zelenskyy at the meeting with journalists on air during the national joint 24/7 newscast
Zelenskyy was asked whether there were shifts in relations between Ukraine and Israel.
Quote: "The shift is that we got back in contact with Netanyahu. We had a normal constructive conversation because a list of ‘constructive subjects’ was provided by our side. We passed on to them all details regarding air defence systems. This is the top priority.
He has assured me that he will sort this issue out as soon as possible or he will think where he can help, and then he will get back with a response."
Details: Zelenskyy has pointed out that the Israeli side was informed on what Ukraine needs and which aid it requires.
According to the President, Ukraine is not interested in "special relations" between Israel and the Russian Federation, and Ukraine is not asking for weapons to attack the Russians: "We are interested in defence systems only."
Recently, Netanyahu’s party won the parliamentary elections in Israel (to the Knesset, i.e. the Israeli Parliament). The President of Israel has instructed him to form a government.
Background:
- As Russia is actively using Iranian-made drones, Ukraine has declared that it will send a note to Israel about urgent supply of air defence systems. As the media report, Ukraine has asked to help with such systems as Iron Beam, Barak-8, Patriot, Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and Arrow Interceptor. Ukraine has also asked Israel for support in training Ukrainian soldiers.
- At the same time, Israeli Minister of Defence Benny Ganz said that Israel would not provide Ukraine with weapons for opposing the Russian invasion, but it could supply a system of early detection of approaching missile strikes or drone attacks.
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