Israeli Ambassador in Ukraine Mykhailo Brodsky explained why the country does not join the sanctions against Russia and refuses to supply weapons to Ukraine.
He wrote about this on his Facebook page.
"Ukraine has repeatedly appealed to Israel to mediate in negotiations with Russia. At the request of President Zelensky, Prime Minister Bennett is holding very difficult talks with Ukraine and Russia, coordinating his actions with the United States and European countries. The supply of weapons to Ukraine would nullify these efforts and eliminate the possibility of Israeli mediation," Brodsky said.
He noted that many countries today provide military assistance to Ukraine.
"And there are two or three countries that maintain active contacts with both Ukraine and Russia. Israel is one of them," Brodsky added.
The ambassador noted that Israel operates within the framework of "very strict restrictions related to the need to maintain a strategic dialogue and coordinate actions near our borders with Russia." Brodsky stressed that it is a matter of protecting the lives and safety of Israeli citizens. And this is a priority for Israel, despite all the sympathy for Ukraine.
"For the same reasons, we are not running ahead of the locomotive in the issue of sanctions. Israel is coordinating its positions with the United States and European countries and will not circumvent Western sanctions," Brodsky added.
He stressed that his state condemns Russian aggression, supports Ukraine's independence, and co-authored a UN resolution condemning Russia's attack against Ukraine.
"I advise everyone who says that Israel is 'sitting on the fence' to compare Israel's position in 2014 and now. Israel is not a party to the conflict, but has clearly defined whose side it is on," - the ambassador said.
On 13 March, Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid called on Russia to end its military invasion of Ukraine. He made this statement following a working meeting with Romanian Foreign Minister Bohdan Aurescu in Bucharest.
On 14 March, the head of the President's Office, Andriy Yermak, said that Israel had agreed to mediate in the negotiation between Ukraine and Russia. An active dialogue with Israel on humanitarian aid to Ukraine continues.
Israel will not help Russia circumvent the sanctions imposed on it for the war in Ukraine. His Israeli counterpart Yair Lapid assured the Ukrainian Foreign Minister of this.