Russia Puts Israel on Notice if It Continues Providing Military Aid to Ukraine
Russian authorities recently warned Israel that it will respond harshly against the Jewish state in the case that it sends military aid to Ukraine during the Russo-Ukrainian conflict.
Bloomberg TV cited two anonymous sources, who specialize in Russian policy, that said Russia would retaliate harshly if Israel sent missile systems directly or via third party to Ukraine.
According to Press TV, the “report did not specify what action Russian officials might take.”
In recent months, Israel has grown more receptive to the idea of providing military aid to Ukraine.
Though the incoming government of Benjamin Netanyahu has raised questions among international relations specialists about Israel’s commitment to supporting Ukraine. Netanyahu was known to have warm relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin during his time as Prime Minister (2009-2021). This report from Bloomberg comes after comments that former
Russian president Dmitry Medvedev made back in October. He warned that Israel would “destroy” all relations with Russia if Israel follows through with the “very reckless move” of sending weapons to Ukraine.
On October 17, 2022, the Israeli diaspora affairs minister Nachman Shai declared that the “time has come for Ukraine to receive military aid” from Israel following accusations of Iran supplying Russia with military aid.
“Israel seems to be going to supply weapons to the Kiev regime; a very reckless move. It will destroy all interstate relations between” Russia and Israel, Medvedev continued saying in a Telegram post in response to the Israeli minister’s October remarks.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said to Channel 12’s “Uvda” on November 1 that Israel recently reached an agreement with Ukraine to supply it with radio systems.
In late October, Ukraine’s Ambassador to Israel Yevgen Korniychuk also noted that there has been ongoing progress “on some technical issues” connected to military cooperation between Ukraine and Israel, especially on Israel’s alleged offer to supply Ukraine with missile alert technology.
Indeed, Israel has to tread lightly in this world of multipolarity. During the United State’s unipolar moment, Israel could afford to engage in controversial geopolitical and domestic behavior largely because it had the firm backing of the sole hegemon in the US. However, with the rise of China and Russia — the latter having a strong military presence in neighboring Syria —, Israel will meet increased pushback when it engages in controversial political action.
The world of international affairs is radically changing and many actors like the US and Israel will have to re-adjust accordingly, lest they want to overextend themselves and face massive military reversals.
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