Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen arrived in Kyiv today.

This visit, previously postponed due to the European express tour of Volodymyr Zelensky, came a week after another large-scale Russian rocket attack on Ukraine.. And this gave even more weight to the requests voiced by the Ukrainian negotiators.. After all, one of the main topics is the supply of weapons to our country: we are interested in Israeli anti-aircraft missile systems that allow us to protect cities and civilian infrastructure from Russian missiles.

But after February 24, Tel Aviv sends us only humanitarian aid, refusing to provide air and missile defense equipment..

The Israelis justify this position by the need to ensure the security of their own country, which does not have many weapons, and Israel itself lacks missile defense systems.. In addition, Tel Aviv fears that if technologies are transferred to Kyiv, then over time they can get to Moscow, and she will transfer them to Tehran.

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The Russian factor also influences Israel's position: despite the fact that the Russian Federation has partially withdrawn its troops from Syria, the continued presence of Russian S-300s there threatens the work of Israeli aircraft against Iranians. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu himself, as they say in Tel Aviv, does not believe that Russia can lose, and indeed, has a pro-Russian reputation.. It is no coincidence that US national security adviser Jake Sullivan called Netanyahu a friend of Putin..

But ahead of Cohen's visit, Netanyahu made several high-profile statements. Firstly, in an interview with CNN, he said that it is possible to supply Kyiv with the Iron Dome missile defense system.. Secondly, during a conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron, according to The Times of Israel, Netanyahu said that Israel was ready to supply Ukraine with "

It is also important for Kyiv that during the last telephone conversation between Zelensky and Netanyahu, according to ZN. UA, the Israeli prime minister promised the Ukrainian president to launch a review of the government's policy on arms supplies to Ukraine. Although the conversation in Kyiv is assessed as not very successful, Netanyahu nevertheless kept his word: the government is expected to consider this issue in mid-February.

Although the promoted " UA, Barak-8 air defense systems are more suitable for Ukraine against ballistic missiles), Netanyahu's statements are already a noticeable difference from the public position of the previous government.

But does the above mean that Tel Aviv will still supply weapons to Kyiv

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No illusions: in the Middle East, even the word " For example, the Israeli government, according to ZN. UA, half a year ago promised Ukraine an early warning system for the civilian population. But so far it has not been put.

At a press conference, Cohen limited himself to an extremely general statement that " Therefore, Kyiv’s fears are natural that the Israelis, apart from promises, will continue to give us nothing further..

Of course, Netanyahu wants to take advantage of the world-famous theme of supporting Ukraine and score points with Israeli voters: the prime minister is accused of undermining democratic foundations and seeking to evade responsibility for corruption charges against him.. As the story with ex-Prime Minister Naftali Benet shows, the Ukrainian case has become an element of Israel’s domestic policy: the leader of the New Rights party made an extravagant statement: he went to Moscow at the request of Zelensky to negotiate with Putin to end the war, and he promised not to kill the Ukrainian.

Nevertheless, Kyiv has prerequisites for cautious optimism..

First, Israel is concerned about the strengthening of the alliance between Russia and Iran, which resulted not only in the supply of Russian aircraft to the Islamic Republic, but also the prospect of Moscow transferring nuclear technologies to Tehran.. This increases Iran's military potential, increases the threat of nuclear weapons and pushes the mullahs' regime to pursue a more aggressive policy.. Tel Aviv believes that today Zelensky is being listened to in the US and the EU. Therefore, with its help, Israel hopes to push the West to accept the Israeli point of view on the solution of the Iranian nuclear problem..

Secondly, the United States, which is almost as important to Israel for security as it is to us, is pressuring the Israeli government to change its position on peace negotiations with Palestine and arms supplies to Ukraine.. The Israelis can't ignore the Americans. But if the Prime Minister cannot do anything on the Palestinian track (partly because of his own convictions, but mainly because representatives of ultra-right parties are in his office), then on Ukrainian he can meet Washington halfway..

Therefore, Cohen's visit to our country is, on the one hand, Netanyahu's desire to play along with the Americans and Biden. And on the other hand, given his flirting with Putin, raising the stakes in the game with the Russians and the leader.

But we, Ukrainians, do not need politicians to come to Ukraine for a photo session with Zelensky only to solve their domestic and foreign policy problems.. For us, anti-aircraft missile systems, the rehabilitation of our soldiers are important, and not photo reports of meetings in news feeds and social networks.. Ukrainian diplomacy will be able to achieve its goals if it skillfully uses the Iranian and American factors. But Kyiv needs to be very careful in its obligations to Israel, including on the issue of supporting Tel Aviv's position on the Iranian nuclear program..

Both sides are playing a cautious game. According to ZN. UA, Cohen was satisfied with the meeting. And the Ukrainian side?

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On the eve of Cohen's arrival, Ukrainian diplomacy put forward a number of demands to the Israelis. Among them is an official statement supporting the territorial integrity of Ukraine and condemning the Russian invasion.; support for Zelensky's peace plan; allocation of a loan in the amount of 500 million dollars to our country. assistance in the treatment and rehabilitation of Ukrainian soldiers and civilians; obligation to transfer the rocket warning system used in Israel.

Kiev believes that the degree of responsiveness to these requests of Ukraine during Cohen's visit will testify to the sincerity of Israel's intentions. Judging by the fact that the meeting between the Israeli minister and Zelensky took place, the Israelis are ready to fulfill some of the items on the Ukrainian list.

Thus, at a press conference, the head of the Israeli Foreign Ministry said that Israel intends to support the peace formula proposed by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky. Cohen also assured that Israel intends to continue supporting Ukraine.. In particular, he announced " on Israeli projects in the field of healthcare and civilian infrastructure" The Minister announced that Israel will help Ukraine "

According to ZN. UA, the head of the Israeli Foreign Ministry arrived in the Ukrainian capital to discuss the issues of Israel's participation in the treatment and rehabilitation of Ukrainian soldiers.

Earlier, the Israeli government adopted a program under which 20 wounded soldiers will be fitted with artificial limbs.. Five people have already returned to Ukraine with artificial limbs, seven are still in Israel, and eight soldiers are being prepared for departure.. But Ukrainian needs are much higher! We need Israel to be able to accept 200, 300 or more people for treatment: there are fierce battles in the East, and the number of crippled Ukrainian defenders is growing. At the same time, the quality of the treatment provided is also important for Ukraine..

The Israelis also have tremendous experience in treating the PTSD of soldiers returning from war.. They provided us with their experience in the field of PTSD, found funding so that within the framework of a social service in every Ukrainian community, Ukrainians could use help in overcoming post-traumatic disorder.

But even despite the fact that the first ladies of the two countries are ready to patronize this project, it still fails to start.. According to ZN. UA, the reason is that the Ministry of Social Policy, unfortunately, still cannot prepare a plan for launching the National Psychosocial Support Program.

So far, such humanitarian projects have the greatest prospects for implementation, but despite the signals coming from Netanyahu, the Ukrainian capital is skeptical about the prospects for the supply of Israeli air defense and missile defense systems to us.. At the same time, one must be clearly aware that even in the most favorable scenario, weapons will not appear tomorrow.

And if it does appear, then the specificity of Israel is such that it will give it secretly. It is important that the right political decision is made in Tel Aviv. After all, the Russian threat for us will not go anywhere.. She will be tomorrow and the day after tomorrow.

But the sooner Israel starts supplying us with weapons, the sooner and with fewer losses we will defeat the aggressor and return our territories..

Read more articles by Vladimir Kravchenko at the link.

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