The Israeli Prime Minister is looking for a way out of the Ukrainian crisis. Naftali Bennett began mediation on Saturday with visits to Moscow, then to Berlin and a telephone interview with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
So far, Naftali Bennett has not joined the chorus of international condemnation of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, highlighting the strong ties Israel has with Moscow and Kiev. Because of this proximity to the two belligerents, Israel offered mediation, a proposal supported by Ukrainian officials.
Three-hour meeting with Putin
So the prime minister flew to Moscow on Saturday, where he said he met with Vladimir Putin “for about three hours.” This is the first visit to Russia by a foreign leader related to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. He then spoke on the phone with Volodymyr Zelensky before traveling to Berlin for a meeting with Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
Few details have been leaked about the exact content of the talks in Moscow. In particular, Naftali Bennett was accompanied by his Minister of Housing, Russian-speaking Zeev Elkin, originally from Ukraine. The Prime Minister’s Office did not explicitly mention the Russian invasion, limiting itself to pointing out that he mentioned “the situation of Israelis and Jewish communities after the conflict.” The Kremlin, for its part, indicated that Putin and Bennett discussed “various aspects of the situation in Ukraine as part of Russia’s special military operation to protect the Donbass.” Prior to this meeting, Naftali Bennett consulted with the US, Germany and France.
Emmanuel Macron advised
As such, the Elysee Palace explained that Emmanuel Macron “spoke with the Prime Minister this morning before leaving for Moscow in the logic of coordinating efforts to achieve a cessation of hostilities.” “The President told him about his latest conversations with President Putin. They will remain in touch for the same purpose, which is to achieve a ceasefire, and this is also in agreement with Chancellor Scholz.”
But for analysts, Naftali Bennett’s chances of influencing Russia’s position are slim. The editor of The Times of Israel wonders if the prime minister can “do something to help curb Russian military activity.” And he seems to draw a negative conclusion: “Vladimir Putin does not seem to be a man of compromises. Will the Prime Minister of Israel (…) be able to change that? »
On the other hand, former Israeli ambassador to the US Michael Oren is somewhat more optimistic. “Everything will depend on Putin’s mood. Before the war, he sent French President Emmanuel Macron to pick roses. But today Russia is in a different position, and Putin may be looking for a way out. Naftali Bennet could be the one to provide him with the ladder.”