Israel has rejected a request from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to visit the country that was made in the wake of the October 7 Hamas attack, The Times of Israel reported on Monday.
Axios reported last week that Zelensky requested to make the trip to Israel in a show of solidarity. Citing Hebrew-language reports, the Times said Zelensky was told “the time is not right” for a visit.
Zelensky has issued statements expressing support for Israel and even compared Hamas to Russia. His strong support for Israel came despite diplomatic tensions that have built between Kyiv and Tel Aviv over Israel’s refusal to provide direct military aid to Ukraine.
The rejection of Zelensky’s request to visit Israel comes as Ukrainian officials are worried the Gaza war will decrease US support for its war with Russia. Last week, Zelensky expressed concern about the situation in Gaza diverting attention from Ukraine, saying, “Of course, everybody’s afraid, and I think also Russia’s counting on it, on dividing support.”
Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine’s military intelligence, has said if the war in Gaza drags on, “it is quite clear that there will be certain problems with the fact that it will be necessary to supply weapons and ammunition not only to Ukraine.”
Source: AntiWar.
