Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett spoke separately with the presidents of Russia and Ukraine—Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky—over the weekend and reiterated his concerns regarding the ongoing conflict. During the talks, Bennett urged both leaders to make efforts to end the war and said that Israel will try to mediate between Russia and Ukraine.
On Saturday, Bennett travelled to Moscow to meet Putin at the Kremlin, days after both leaders held a phone conversation. The Kremlin released a statement on Saturday saying that they discussed the “situation in Ukraine in the context of Russia’s special military operation to protect Donbas.”
Although, both the Kremlin and Bennett’s office did not discuss the details of the PM’s visit, after returning from Moscow, Bennett said that even though the chances of de-escalating the conflict are “not great,” Israel has a “moral obligation to make every effort” to resolve the crisis.
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, at the start of the weekly Cabinet meeting:
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) March 6, 2022
"I returned from Moscow and Berlin a few hours ago. I went there to assist the dialogue between all of the sides, of course with the blessing and encouragement of all players.
https://t.co/YOGaOluRYz pic.twitter.com/dGgXMQd6yF
Bennett also noted that he had the “blessing and encouragement of all players,” before his meeting with Putin, a possible indication that he had received the green light for the meeting from the United States (US).
Bennett noted that the situation on the ground in Ukraine “is not good” and the “human suffering is great.” He added that there are many “Israelis who need to return home and Jewish communities in distress that need help.” “As long as the candle is burning, we must make an effort and perhaps it will yet be possible to act,” Bennett said.
Following his meeting with Putin, Bennett had a phone conversation with President Zelensky on Sunday. Bennett’s office did not release any details of the talk and only stated that Sunday’s talk was the third conversation between the leaders since Saturday. According to reports, Bennett briefed Zelensky about his meeting with Putin.
Also Read: Russia’s Preeminence in Syria Means Israel Will Not Help Ukraine
Bennett also had a phone conversation with Putin on Sunday as a “follow up” to Saturday’s meeting. They once again discussed the situation in Ukraine and Bennett outlined Israel’s concerns to Putin. Both leaders agreed to continue talks.
Israel has maintained cordial relations with both Russia and Ukraine and since fighting started two weeks ago and has been trying to balance its relations with both sides. Since the Russian intervention in Syria’s civil war in 2015, Israel has maintained communications links with Russia and coordinated with Moscow over Israeli airstrikes against Iranian targets in Syria.
Experts note that Israel cannot afford to strain ties with Russia by supporting Ukraine, since it needs Moscow’s blessings for continuing its air raids in Syria. In this regard, Israel has refused to support Ukraine militarily and has rebuffed Ukrainian requests to buy Israel’s Iron Dome missile defence system. Moreover, while Bennett has expressed support for Ukraine, he has refused to explicitly condemn Russia’s invasion, drawing criticism from Ukraine and the US.