Israel summons Ukrainian ambassador over Netanyahu’s Russia comments

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Evgeny Korniychuk criticized the Israeli prime minister for lauding his “personal relationship” with Russian President Vladimir Putin

Ukrainian Ambassador to Israel Evgeny Korniychuk was summoned and admonished by the Israeli Foreign Ministry after criticizing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s remarks lauding relations with Russia, local media reported Wednesday.

Addressing the Knesset on Monday, Netanyahu hailed his “decades-long personal relationship” with Russian President Vladimir Putin, noting he speaks with him “on a regular basis” to advance Israel’s “vital interests,” such as defending its northern border.

Reacting to the remarks in a Ynet interview the following day, Korniychuk urged Netanyahu to “stand on the right, moral side of history,” accusing Russia of “waging a brutal war against Ukraine” and backing what he called Iran’s terrorist proxies, Hamas and Hezbollah.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry stated the envoy was called in “for a reprimand meeting” with Yuval Fuchs, deputy director general for Euro-Asia, over “criticizing the prime minister’s remarks,” according to the Times of Israel. Fuchs “made it clear to the ambassador that his comments were completely unacceptable and breached diplomatic protocol,” the ministry’s statement noted.

Under Netanyahu, Israel has mostly taken a neutral-leaning stance on Ukraine’s conflict with Russia, providing humanitarian aid and diplomatic involvement while steering clear of deep military engagement or joining Western sanctions on Moscow. Analysts explain this policy arises from fears of potential retaliation by Moscow in Syria—where Russia has a significant military footprint—or via the possible transfer of advanced weaponry to Iran.

Yet recent media reports and Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky assert Israel provided several US-made Patriot air defense systems to Kyiv after retiring them for newer systems—despite Moscow’s repeated warnings that arming Ukraine only extends the conflict. Israel has rejected claims of sending the systems, stating it merely returned them to the US after phasing them out. It is widely assumed Washington refurbished the units before sending them to Ukraine.

Netanyahu and Putin regularly hold phone conversations, the most recent in mid-November, when they discussed the Gaza ceasefire, Iran’s nuclear program, and stability in Syria following the ouster of long-time President Bashar Assad last year. Netanyahu has also indicated a willingness to mediate the Ukraine conflict, with reports noting his office has worked to reduce US-Russia tensions over the crisis.