Ukraine says Netanyahu could be an “effective mediator” between kyiv and Moscow

Mykhailo Podolyak tells Israeli TV that the returning prime minister ‘understands precisely what modern wars are,’ as well as the ‘essence of mediation’

A top adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky suggested on Thursday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could act  as a negotiator between Moscow and Kyiv, and revive a deal that tried unsuccessfully to end the war under the idea of ​​Israel’s previous government.

Naftali Bennett, Former Prime Minister, acted as a mediator for several weeks in the spring of 2022, using Israel’s cooperation with the two countries to convey a message between Zelenskiy and Russian President Vladimir Putin, while also engaging with other regional powers. Bennett even flew to Moscow to be one of the first world leaders to meet Putin at the start of the war. However, Bennett was unable to make any progress and ultimately decided to abandon the effort when his coalition fell apart.

Netanyahu has said he was approached to mediate between Zelensky and Putin while he was opposition leader but deferred to the sitting government. He said last month that such offers may come up again but did not say whether he would heed the call.

“I have no doubt that Mr. Netanyahu could be an effective mediator,” Mykhailo Podolyak told the i24NEWS network on Thursday. “Since he understands precisely what modern wars are and what is the essence of mediation under these conditions.”

However, Podolyak claimed that Moscow is not interested in genuine negotiations. “Under the guise of negotiations, Russia wants the surrender of Ukraine,” he said.

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The Zelensky adviser argued that Russia seeks a ceasefire that would allow it to maintain its territorial gains while giving it time to rearm with help from Iran and North Korea — terms that Ukraine rejects as it gradually gains on Russian forces and pushes them out of the occupied territory.

Source: The Times of Israel