Russia Praises Israel's Stance on Ukraine War, Criticizes Local Banks
Translated & summarized from Maariv by baba
Russia's Ambassador to Israel, Anatoly Viktorov, praised Israel's policies and its refusal to supply offensive weapons to Ukraine, while criticizing Israeli banks for excessive caution. He highlighted strong bilateral trade exceeding $2 billion annually and expressed hope for continued constructive dialogue between Israel and Russia, despite global tensions. The ambassador also noted frequent communication between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Russian Ambassador Viktorov praised Israel's refusal to send offensive weapons to Ukraine.
- Bilateral trade between Russia and Israel has surpassed $2 billion annually.
- Viktorov criticized Israeli banks for "excessive caution" hindering direct payments.
- Putin and Netanyahu held seven phone calls between early 2025 and January 2026.
- Russia offered its mediation services for regional conflicts and security.
- The ambassador hoped Israel would not join anti-Russian sanctions.
The Russian Ambassador to Israel, Anatoly Viktorov, published an article marking 35 years of renewed diplomatic relations between Moscow and Jerusalem, offering praise for Israel's current policies and implicitly criticizing its banking sector. The article, timed for the anniversary of October 1991, provides a rare glimpse into Russia's perspective on bilateral cooperation amidst the wars in Ukraine and Gaza.
Viktorov began with a historical overview, noting the deep influence of Russian social and political environments on key figures in the establishment of Israel, such as Chaim Weizmann, Ze'ev Jabotinsky, David Ben-Gurion, and Golda Meir. He highlighted the Red Army's role in World War II, in which approximately half a million Jews served, and identified the fight against historical revisionism and antisemitism as a shared value. He stated that the Soviet Union was the first to recognize Israel de jure in 1948 and, even after severing ties in 1967, never denied Israel's right to exist and maintained closed channels.
Addressing regional affairs, Viktorov asserted Russia's enduring presence in the Middle East and criticized the use of military force, which he believes exacerbates regional problems. He advocated for a political solution based on international law and offered Moscow's mediation services to help build bridges between Muslim states and Israel, aiming for mutually acceptable solutions and an open, equitable regional security system.
Economically, Viktorov revealed that annual trade between the two countries exceeds $2 billion. However, he criticized Israel's financial system, stating that direct payments between Russia and Israel are hindered by the "excessive caution" of Israeli banks. Despite these challenges, he noted that businesspeople on both sides are finding "unconventional solutions" to logistical and financial issues, even under what he called an "unprecedented wave of illegal sanctions" against Moscow.
The ambassador concluded optimistically, expressing hope that Israel's future political leadership will not join the anti-Russian sanctions agenda and will continue constructive dialogue. He pointed to the close ties between top leaders, noting that Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held six phone calls in 2025 and another in January 2026, reflecting intensive and stable political dialogue despite global turmoil. The article implies that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy might be less pleased with this public praise from Russia towards Israel.
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