Why a Call Between Netanyahu and Zelenskyy Could Collapse Before It Happens

Potential Talks Between Ukraine and Israel

According to Главком: A potential call between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is at risk of being cancelled. This follows a media report suggesting Israel may have a need for Ukrainian drones, which has created diplomatic sensitivities. The two leaders have not spoken directly for over a year, with contacts between the countries continuing at other levels.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has requested a call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, but the request did not specify a reason. Netanyahu's last attempt to call was before the Jewish New Year in September of last year, but that conversation did not take place. The current request comes as Israel is engaged in a heated phase of its war following conflict with Iran, making the timing potentially contentious.

According to Ukraine's Ambassador to Israel, Yevhen Korniychuk, the Israeli outlet Ynet distorted information regarding Netanyahu's request.

"They asked me if such a conversation would happen, I said it was planned, and that's all. Regarding the drones, they made it all up," Korniychuk stated.

The diplomat added that the call could be cancelled because of this situation, as Israelis are highly sensitive to such information leaks. This incident highlights the fragile nature of high-level diplomacy during wartime.

Questions of Cooperation Between the Countries

The Head of Ukraine's Presidential Office, Kyrylo Budanov, has also indicated that Ukraine has many questions for Israel, but these remain outside of public discussion.

"Our special services work constantly without limits or interruptions. I am aware that the current Head of the Presidential Office, Kyrylo Budanov, had a delegation from Israeli special services last week," noted Korniychuk.

He emphasized that contacts occur at the ministerial and intelligence agency levels, but are limited at the level of the heads of state.

Korniychuk also commented on the situation with military production in Israel. He pointed out that Israel is currently experiencing intense deflation, the shekel is strengthening against the dollar, and its military production is overloaded. The number of orders for Israeli weapons to Europe has grown substantially, including military orders planned a decade in advance, some of which involve Ukraine. However, Israel does not supply Ukraine with lethal weaponry. This issue remains pertinent in the context of diplomatic relations between the two nations.

The situation surrounding the potential talks between Netanyahu and Zelenskyy underscores the complexity of diplomatic relations between Ukraine and Israel amid ongoing military conflicts and international politics. The absence of direct contact between the leaders could affect the future development of cooperation, given both countries' sensitivity to information leaks. It is crucial for both sides to find avenues to maintain dialogue, which could help strengthen relations in the future.

The potential for dialogue between the two nations raises important questions about their future cooperation, especially in light of recent Iranian attacks. As highlighted in a related report, Israel's interest in discussing cooperation with Zelenskyy underscores the delicate balance of regional security and diplomatic relations. Understanding these dynamics is crucial as the situation evolves.