After returning from Russia, Naftali Bennett, the Israeli Prime Minister said on Sunday that Israel will continue trying mediation between Russia and Ukraine even if success looks to be doubtful. Earlier, Ukraine had requested Israel to serve as an intermediary between Russia and Ukraine, as it has good relations with Kyiv as well as with Moscow.
In a televised address to his cabinet, Bennett did not disclose any details of his three-hour meeting with Vladimir Putin in Kremlin, on Saturday. All he said about the meeting was that it had “the blessing and encouragement of all parties.
Bennett vows to help if asked
Bennett said that Israel will continue to assist wherever it is requested, although, he said that the chances of achieving success are not looking great. The moment there is even a small opening, and we have the access to all sides and the capability, I see it as a moral duty to make every attempt, Bennett added.
The Kremlin updated that the two leaders have spoken again through phone on Sunday and Bennett’s recent contacts with the leaders of the other countries was discussed. Israel has condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine and has sent humanitarian aid to Ukraine, but Bennett has not delivered on the Ukrainian requests for military assistance.
On Sunday, around 90 children from a Jewish orphanage in the Ukrainian city of Zhytomyr were brought back from Romania to Tel Aviv.
Ayelet Shaked, the Interior Minister of Israel said that the country having a population of 9.2 million was bracing for a very big wave of immigration sparked by the Russia-Ukraine conflict. This could mean taking in over 800,000 Ukrainians and Russians who are Jewish or have Jewish family links.
Erdogan offers to help de-escalate
Meanwhile, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan urged Vladimir Putin on Sunday to declare a ceasefire in Ukraine, open humanitarian corridors and sign a peace agreement.
It is to be noted that Turkey is a NATO member and shares maritime border with Russia and Ukraine in the Black Sea. Turkey has said that Russia’s invasion is unacceptable, but has also opposed sanctions against Moscow. Turkey has offered to host talks between the two nations.
In a statement the Turkish presidency said that in a one-hour phone call with Russia, Erdogan told Putin that Turkey was willing to help find a peaceful solution of the conflict. Erdogan emphasised the importance of taking immediate steps to achieve a ceasefire, open humanitarian corridors and sign a peace agreement, the statement further said.
At the same time, Kremlin has said that Putin told Erdogan that Russia would cease its military operation only if Ukraine stops fighting and Moscow’s demands are met. The statement from Kremlin further said that the operation was going according to the plan.
The Turkish Defence ministry said that Defence Minister Hulusi Akar has spoken to the Ukrainian Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov on the phone and has told him that a ceasefire was required on an immediate basis for the safe evacuation of civilian and to aid shipments.
Erdogan calls Putin a friend and had last spoken to the Russian President on the 23rd of February, just a day before Russia launched its invasion on Ukraine.
While Turkey has close ties with Russia on sectors such as defence, trade and energy, and hosts millions of Russian tourists every year, Turkey has sold drones to Ukraine as well, which has angered Moscow. Turkey has previously opposed the Russian policies in Syria and Libya and has spoken against the Russian annexation of Crimea in 2014.
Turkey has said it wants to bring together foreign ministers from Ukraine and Russia for talks at a diplomatic forum next week in southern Turkey. Both the countries have welcomed the offer, but Ankara says it is unclear whether they will be able to attend.
