Talks on Patriots for Ukraine must stay discreet, Israeli ambassador says
Photo: Israeli Ambassador to Ukraine Michael Brodsky (RBC-Ukraine, Vitalii Nosach)
Israel did not transfer the Patriot systems directly to Ukraine, but to the United States, where they are undergoing modernization before a possible delivery to Kyiv, said Israeli Ambassador to Ukraine Michael Brodsky, in an interview with RBC-Ukraine.
This information was confirmed by the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The ambassador said that Israel traditionally avoids public discussions on such topics.
"The only thing I can say on this matter — something I have repeatedly stated in interviews here in Ukraine — is that issues of security and matters related to weaponry should be discussed not publicly, but through special channels and with the utmost delicacy," he said.
Brodsky admitted that, in the context of the war, Ukraine and Israel are partially competing for American assistance, particularly regarding ammunition and technologies.
"In a certain sense, that is true. And I’m glad that our escalation ended in 12 days. I sincerely hope that the situation in the Middle East will allow the US to provide more assistance to Ukraine," the ambassador emphasized.
Brodsky also noted that Israel is a partner of Ukraine.
Although Israel does not officially supply lethal weapons, the two sides continue to exchange experience, particularly regarding the fight against Iranian kamikaze drones.
According to the diplomat, Israel has delivered all agreed systems, including air raid warning technologies.
Air communication
According to the ambassador, Ukrainian experts consulted with Israeli colleagues two years ago about the possible resumption of passenger flights during the war.
After meetings with representatives of the Israeli Civil Aviation Authority, a decision was made not to open the skies for now.
Brodsky also commented on Donald Trump's statement, in which Trump credited himself with ending the war between Israel and Iran.
"We don’t have a territorial issue, which is currently one of the main problems here in Ukraine. That is probably why finding a way out of the war between Ukraine and Russia is more difficult than in our case," he explained.
