Ukraine Envoy Urges Israeli Companies To Slap Sanctions On Russia

Ukraine’s ambassador to Israel is calling on the country to join its Western allies in slapping sanctions on Russia, the Associated Press (AP) reported.

Photo Insert: A pro-Ukraine demonstration in Israel, which is one of the few countries with good working relations with both Ukraine and Russia

Yevgen Korniychuck told reporters Friday that it was the “moral obligation” of Israeli companies to suspend business in Russia, as many Western firms have done.

Korniychuck also indicated that Israel’s attempt at mediating between Kyiv and Moscow appeared to have stalled, saying it was “unclear” where the mediation stood and that he was not aware of “any immediate tasks” taken up by Israel on the matter.

Israel is one of the few countries with good working relations with both Ukraine and Russia. Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has repeatedly expressed support for the Ukrainian people, and Israel has sent humanitarian aid to the country, but he has stopped short of condemning Russia for its incursion.

That middle ground helped pave the way for Bennett to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin last Saturday in an attempt to mediate between the sides. Mediation efforts by Turkey, which also has ties with both of the warring countries, also have yet to make demonstrable progress.

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