Ukraine supports anti-Israeli resolutions at the United Nations “90% of the time,” Israel’s ambassador in Kiev said over the weekend.
In an interview published by Ukraine’s online media Mirror of the Week on Saturday, Ambassador Michael Brodsky called Ukraine’s stance “an unusual situation, especially given that Ukraine frequently turns to Israel with various requests.”
Israeli officials were particularly outraged that Ukraine backed resolutions in November 2022 calling for a nuclear-weapon-free Middle East and another resolution calling for an international conference on Israeli-Palestinian peace in Moscow, as they were on their own Territory fought against Russian troops.
Ukraine also backed a resolution calling for the International Court of Justice to rule “urgently” on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and Israeli “annexation.” Personal adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Alexei Arestovich, later said the vote was “a serious mistake”.
Receive the Daily Times of Israel by email and never miss our top stories
With your registration you agree to the conditions
The email address is invalid or missing
Please try again. The email address is invalid or missing
Please try again.
“Supporting anti-Israel initiatives at the UN does nothing to build trust,” Brodsky said at the time.
Israel has backed pro-Ukrainian measures at the United Nations, including a non-binding resolution marking the first anniversary of the war calling on Russia to cease hostilities in Ukraine and withdraw its forces.
Unlike its Western allies, however, it has refrained from providing military aid to Ukraine despite repeated requests. While Israel is providing humanitarian aid to Ukraine, it maintains a strict policy of not providing military assistance, including systems that could help intercept Russian missile and drone strikes.
The reason for the decision appears to be Israel’s strategic need to maintain freedom of operation in Syria, where airspace is largely controlled by Russia. Israeli officials also expressed fears that advanced military technology could fall into enemy hands, citing production and supply restrictions.
Sergiy Kyslytsya, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the United Nations, speaks during a Security Council meeting at the United Nations headquarters on February 6, 2023. (John Minchillo/AP)
“If Ukraine regards Israel as a friendly state and turns to it with requests, then your country should support my country in matters that are important to us, just as Israel behaves toward Ukraine in matters that are crucial to you are important,” Brodsky continued in the interview.
Brodsky’s comments come at a time when mutual frustration has been mounting in recent weeks.
Last week, the State Department summoned Ukraine’s ambassador after he released a scathing statement accusing Israel of collaborating with Russia.
“We told him his comments weren’t helping,” an Israeli official said. “We’re trying to prevent the relationship from deteriorating.”
Rescuers work inside an apartment building damaged after a Russian attack in Kiev, Ukraine, on Saturday June 24, 2023. (AP Photo/Andrew Kravchenko)
“Such statements are completely counterproductive,” Brodsky argued in the interview. “To be honest, I wonder if people do that [make] They realize that they are harming not only Israel-Ukraine relations, but also Ukraine itself and its interests. After all, these statements and the UN vote against Israel have a negative impact on Israeli support for your country.”
They damage not only relations between Israel and Ukraine, but also Ukraine itself and its interests.
Brodsky said Israel’s decision not to send weapons was “due to our sensitivity in relations with Russia and the danger that could arise if Israel takes careless steps that could escalate the situation.”
Speaking of the Russian presence in Syria, Brodsky said: “We know that any careless movement or even expression could lead to either a new war or an outbreak of terrorism, which in turn would cause Israeli casualties, both civilian and military.”
FILE: A Russian naval missile ship Veliky Ustyug sails from the Russian naval base in Tartus, Syria, on September 26, 2019 on patrol in the eastern Mediterranean. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)
He also said that at least part of a civilian missile attack early warning system Israel is building for Ukraine should be operational by September.
“It is necessary to create a new system based on the Israeli one,” he said. “It is necessary to take into account the size of Ukraine, the specifics and threats it faces.”
In the interview, Brodsky called Israel’s position “clear, transparent and unequivocal: We condemn the war and Russian aggression against Ukraine.”
Ukrainian soldiers fire on Russian frontline positions in Zaporizhia region, Ukraine, June 24, 2023. (Efrem Lukatsky/AP)
Brodsky argued that there are lessons for Ukraine to learn from Israel’s experience, particularly with regard to future national security.
“Ukraine should take over certain aspects of state security from Israel,” Brodsky said. “After all, we have a modern, technically equipped army. This is an intelligent army that develops software and new types of weapons, which, by the way, contributes to the economic progress of the state.”
“We have a military assistance treaty, but nobody in Israel expects the United States to fight for us,” he continued.
“America’s help is valuable, but not critical – Israel has relied solely on itself for decades. I’m sure Ukraine will come to the same conclusion. You have no other choice.”