Netanyahu Reaffirms Support for Ukraine’s Territorial Integrity in Call with Zelensky

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed his support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity during a phone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday, according to a statement from Kyiv. The call comes amid escalating tensions in the Middle East and ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Sergii Nykyforov, the Ukrainian president’s press secretary, stated that the leaders discussed the current situation in the Middle East, with Netanyahu expressing support for Ukraine’s sovereignty. “Volodymyr Zelensky thanked Israel for participating in the inaugural Peace Summit and the support of the final communique,” Nykyforov added. The two leaders agreed to maintain further contact.

In June, Israel participated in a summit in Switzerland aimed at finding pathways toward a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace for Ukraine. The summit, attended by around 100 countries, notably excluded Russia and its ally China.

According to a report by Haaretz, the call was initiated by Netanyahu, who praised Ukraine's defense efforts against a large-scale Russian missile and drone attack earlier this week. The attack, one of the most intense since the war began, resulted in at least seven fatalities and widespread blackouts across Ukraine.

Netanyahu reportedly drew a parallel between Russia's attack on Ukraine and Iran's missile and drone assault on Israel in April, most of which were intercepted by Israeli defenses.

The conversation comes at a time when Israel is on high alert for potential retaliation from Iran following the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh on Iranian soil—a move for which Israel has neither confirmed nor denied responsibility.

Netanyahu and Zelensky are expected to meet in September when both leaders attend the United Nations General Assembly in New York, according to Haaretz.

This marks at least the second conversation between Netanyahu and Zelensky since the outbreak of war between Israel and Hamas on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led terrorists launched a deadly assault on southern Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages.

Following the attack, Zelensky expressed strong support for Israel and advocated for increased security cooperation between the two nations. However, despite public backing, Israel has refrained from supplying Ukraine with the military equipment it has requested, particularly air defense systems. Israel has maintained a cautious approach to avoid straining its relationship with Russia, which plays a complex role in the Syrian conflict where Israel operates against Iranian proxies.

The call also comes just ahead of the Jewish New Year, a time when tens of thousands of ultra-Orthodox pilgrims are expected to travel to Uman, Ukraine, despite ongoing war conditions. Uman, the birthplace of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov, is a significant pilgrimage site for Orthodox Jews worldwide.

Kyiv has urged pilgrims to avoid traveling to Uman since the Russian invasion, given the risks posed by airstrikes in the area.

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