Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz said on Wednesday the country will not supply weapons to Ukraine, two days after Russia warned that supplying Israeli weapons to Kiev would damage relations between Moscow and Tel Aviv.
“Our policy towards Ukraine will not change. We will continue to support the West,” but “we will not supply Ukraine with weapons systems,” Gantz assured during a meeting with EU ambassadors, according to a statement from his office.
However, the minister reiterated the State of Israel’s commitment to continue providing humanitarian aid to Ukraine.
“Israel supports Ukraine, NATO and the West. That said, I would like to emphasize that Israel will not transfer weapons to Ukraine due to various operational considerations. We will continue to support Ukraine within our limits,” Benny Gantz said, quoted as saying. by The Guardian.
Gantz also said Israel is monitoring Iran’s involvement in the conflict.
“Israel has a policy of supporting Ukraine through humanitarian aid and the supply of defensive equipment” and is likely to approve an “additional aid package,” Gantz added.
On Monday, former Russian president and current number two in the Moscow Security Council, Dmitry Medvedev, warned that the eventual delivery of arms to Ukraine would “destroy” the relationship between Israel and Russia.
“Apparently Israel is also planning to supply arms to the Kiev regime. A very foolish move. It will destroy all interstate relations between our countries,” Medvedev said.
So far, the Israeli authorities have limited themselves to cooperating with Ukraine with humanitarian aid and supplies of non-lethal materials, so as not to damage relations with Moscow.
Source: DN
