Netanyahu, Zelenskyy speak for 1st time since Israeli government’s inauguration

JERUSALEM

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke by phone Thursday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, marking their first call in nine months and since the current Israeli government's inauguration last December.

The two leaders discussed continuing Israeli aid to Ukraine and the deployment of civil defense systems in the country, according to official sources.

“I spoke with the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy,” Netanyahu said in a statement.

“We talked about continuing Israeli aid to Ukraine, including aid to refugees from Ukraine staying in Israel, in addition to continuing to promote aid and the development and promotion of civil defense systems.”

Netanyahu also stressed “the need to ensure the arrival of worshipers to Uman in Ukraine this year in order to ensure their freedom of worship.”

Every year, Ukrainian Jews head to the city of Uman in Cherkasy Oblast, central Ukraine to celebrate Rosh Hashanah, or the Jewish New Year.

Israel is having difficulty managing its relations with Russia and the West in the atmosphere created by the Ukraine war.

Israel’s cautious attitude towards the war has been criticized by its strategic ally, the US, and the West.

The Tel Aviv administration, which has left Ukraine's requests for military aid unanswered, cites Israel's military coordination with Russia in Syria as justification for the decision.

*Writing by Ikram Kouachi