Lapid Highlights Israel-Ukraine Ties Amid Shared Threats

Opposition leader Yair Lapid stated that Israel and Ukraine face common threats from external enemies, emphasizing a strong connection between the two nations. Speaking in an interview with the Russian-language project "Ulpan Politics" on September 16, Lapid indicated that if his political bloc returns to power, Israel would pursue a significantly more active role concerning Ukraine than in the past. He specifically mentioned the year 2022, when the Bennett-Lapid government provided aid to Ukraine but refrained from supplying Israeli weapons and air defense systems.

Lapid directly identified Russia as an ally of Iran, linking this to Israel's relationship with Ukraine. "Now Russia is an ally of Iran. They are acting together in various military spheres. And this, of course, strengthens our connection with the Ukrainians," Lapid stated. He described the relationship between Israel and Ukraine as mutually beneficial, noting that Kyiv possesses technologies and experience, particularly in countering drones, that could be valuable to Israel.

The former prime minister suggested that opportunities for military cooperation have expanded, and a future Israeli government should act more decisively than it did in 2022. Lapid has previously condemned Russia's actions since the beginning of the invasion.