“I DON’T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO ISRAEL. I’M HONESTLY, FRANKLY: UKRAINE’S ZELENSKYY

Sun 25 September 2022:

Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the president of Ukraine, says he is “shocked” by Israel’s refusal to provide Kyiv with anti-missile defense systems to help fend off Russian attacks.

Since the beginning of the war in February, the president has been requesting the weapons. Zelenskyy referred to Israel’s Iron Dome system, which is frequently used to block rockets fired from Gaza by Palestinian fighters.

“I don’t know what happened to Israel. I’m honestly, frankly – I am in shock because I don’t understand why they couldn’t give us air defences,” he said.

Zelenskyy’s remarks were more stronger than those he made in March, when he criticized Israel for not sending more weapons. Israel said it would assist Ukraine as much as it could at the time but made no commitments.

The most recent comments were made by Zelenskyy in an interview with French reporters on Wednesday, and his office made the audio file available on Saturday.

Israel, which has denounced the Russian invasion, is wary of jeopardizing its relationship with Moscow, a major player in the neighboring Syrian conflict where Israeli forces frequently attack fighters they claim to be pro-Iranian.

In a similar vein, Israel’s government did not support international sanctions against Russia while sending humanitarian aid to Ukraine and showing support for its citizens.

Russia in the past accused Israel of supporting “neo-Nazis” in Ukraine.

“I understand – they have a difficult situation, regarding the situation with Syria and Russia,” Zelenskyy said, adding he was not making accusations.

“I am stating the facts. My conversations with the Israeli leadership have done nothing to help Ukraine.”

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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