Ukraine Urges Israel to Transfer Seized Russian Weapons

Ukraine has called on Israel to approve a bill allowing the transfer of Russian-made weapons seized in Lebanon to aid its fight against Russian aggression. In a social media statement on Tuesday, the Ukrainian Embassy expressed hope that the proposed legislation would pass, signaling gratitude to Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel, who introduced the bill.

The move represents a potential pivot in Israeli policy, which has largely maintained neutrality regarding the Russia-Ukraine war. Should the bill be approved, it could significantly strain diplomatic relations between Jerusalem and Moscow. However, Israeli officials have clarified that the bill, introduced last November before Haskel assumed her current role, does not reflect an official government policy change.

During a meeting with Haskel, Ukrainian Ambassador Yevgen Korniychuk highlighted shared security concerns, particularly the growing military collaboration between Iran and Russia. Korniychuk emphasized that countering this threat is a mutual interest for both nations.

The weapons in question were seized by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) during operations in southern Lebanon. These included modern Kornet anti-tank guided missiles manufactured as recently as 2020, reportedly transferred from Russian stockpiles in Syria to Hezbollah. This discovery raised alarms within Israel about Russia’s possible deepening ties with Hezbollah, despite Moscow's claims of neutrality.

According to the Wall Street Journal, about 60% to 70% of the weapons seized early in the IDF’s southern Lebanon campaign were Russian-made. The revelation that Hezbollah possessed advanced arms bolstered fears of enhanced capabilities to counter Israeli operations.

While the fate of the proposed bill remains uncertain, its approval could mark a significant shift in Israel’s diplomatic posture and defense strategy. As Ukraine continues its struggle against Russian aggression, Israel faces the complex decision of balancing its neutral stance with shared security interests and geopolitical realities.

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