Talks on defence cooperation should be held in secret, says Israeli Ambassador to Ukraine
Ambassador of Israel to Ukraine Michael Brodsky (Photo:Michael Brodsky / Twitter)
Israeli Ambassador to Ukraine Michael Brodsky in an interview with Radio NV has explained the position of his country with regard to military support for the defence of Ukraine.
"Of course, defense exports include missile defense systems weapons, which are subject to certain rules,” Brodsky said. “But above all, negotiations on defense cooperation are not conducted through the media, in public. Therefore, I believe any discussion (about Israel providing or not providing weapons) only harms the cause.”
According to the ambassador, such contacts should be carried out secretly, through special channels.
“In my opinion, it would be counterproductive to attract and to use public opinion on this matter, if you want to get the results.”
Addressing journalist Dmytro Tuzov's comment about the publicity of arms transfers from the United States to Ukraine, Brodsky said that the situation with Israel was different.
“We are not in NATO. Please note the largest providers of military assistance to Ukraine are the members of NATO. Israel fights alone against the neighboring countries. Israel is trying to fight terror on its own.”
The current situation isn't calm in the Middle East, according to the ambassador.
“Conditions are very explosive here. If you look at what is happening around, you see Israel is still in danger. ... That is why Israel won't do anything that could harm the security situation in the country or that could even lead to war, deaths of civilians and Israeli soldiers in the long run. No Israeli government would do that.”
On Oct. 21 Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba discussed Russian-Iranian arms ties in context of the war in Ukraine. Later, Lapid made on mention of the Ukrainian request for air defense systems.
In reply to the official request from Ukraine for the Iron Dome air defense system, Lapid said it would not be in his country's defense interests.
Kuleba submitted an official request to Israel to obtain the Iron Dome and other advanced weapons on Oct. 18.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Oct. 17 that Israel has not given Ukraine any weapons at all.
According to U.S. newspaper the Washington Post, referring to U.S. officials, Iran secretly agreed to send not only attack drones but also Iranian-made surface-to-surface missiles to be used in Ukraine.
Later, Israeli Diaspora Affairs Minister Nachman Shai said he thought Israel should begin supplying military aid to Ukraine.
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