Israel’s FM Sa’ar meets Ukraine's Zelensky in Kiev, denounces Russian attacks on civilians & starts ‘strategic dialogue’ on Iran

Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar embarked on a high-profile diplomatic visit to Ukraine on Tuesday, meeting President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and announcing the start of a new strategic dialogue between Israel and Ukraine on the Iranian threat.

The meeting between Sa’ar and Zelenskyy on Wednesday “was friendly and held in a positive atmosphere,” Sa’ar’s office said in an official readout.

The two leaders discussed “the importance of strengthening bilateral relations between the countries, the ongoing war in Ukraine, and the situation in the Middle East – with a particular focus on Iran.”

The foreign minister’s visit could signal a broader shift in Israel’s policy toward Russia and Ukraine, which have been fighting since the Russian invasion in February 2022.

Sa’ar’s visit marks the highest-profile visit of an Israeli representative to Ukraine since Oct. 7, 2023.

Ukraine has often been frustrated with the lack of public support from Israel, which has been hesitant to antagonize Russia, especially as its military effectively controlled Syrian airspace until the fall of the Assad regime in 2024.

During a press conference with his Ukrainian colleague, Andriy Sybiha, Sa’ar condemned the “Russian attacks on civilians,” calling for “a stable and sustainable peace that ensures Ukraine’s security.”

“Ukraine has been at war with Russia for more than three years. It is a brutal war that has claimed many lives. I know the past few weeks have been especially painful. You have endured heavy attacks, and many civilians have been killed and wounded,” he said.

“My heart is with the families who have lost loved ones. My prayers are with the wounded. We know what it means to be under attack – with your family, with your children.”

Sa’ar also highlighted Israel’s practical support for Ukraine, noting it was “the first country to open a field hospital in Ukraine. We delivered generators, food, water, and winter supplies. Two weeks ago, I instructed my ministry to provide mobile water purification systems to eastern Ukraine after its water infrastructure was damaged in Russian bombings.”

“We have sent trauma and resilience experts, and we’ve provided medical treatment in Israel for injured Ukrainians,” he added.

The issue of Iran received special attention during the trip, as both countries have faced Iranian attacks in recent years.

“Iran has not only threatened Israel. It has threatened regional and global security. It has threatened Ukraine. Today, we decided to establish a strategic dialogue between our ministries on the Iranian threat,” he said.

“Our actions against Iran’s weapons and technology contribute to the security of Europe – and to the security of Ukraine.”

Sa’ar noted that Israel “targeted Iran’s UAV supply lines – the same technology used against Ukraine.”

Russia has closely cooperated with Iran to produce thousands of suicide drones it has been using to attack Ukraine in the past years.

Sa’ar also asked Zelenskyy to work to designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization in Ukraine’s parliament, and stressed the “urgent need” for the E3 countries to activate the Snapback mechanism and reimpose sanctions on Iran.

In addition, the Foreign Minister presented President Zelenskyy and Foreign Minister Sybiha with the “Dina Report”, which documents Hamas’ acts of rape and sexual violence during the Oct. 7 massacre.

In another gesture highlighting the close connections between the two countries, Sa’ar visited Artyom Burik, the husband of Maria and father of his 7-year-old daughter Nastya, who were killed by an Iranian missile strike in Bat Yam last month.

Nastya came to Israel to seek cancer treatment. She, her mother and three other family members died in the ballistic missile strike.

“I expressed my condolences and our shared sorrow and pain over the tragic and devastating loss. I told Artyom that all the people of Israel stand with him in his grief,” Sa’ar stated.

“I also heard from Artyom, who serves as a soldier in the Ukrainian army, about his military service on the front line. May their memory be a blessing.”