Israel is sending 100 tons of humanitarian aid to Ukraine to provide relief for civilians caught up in the catastrophic turmoil of Russia’s invasion.

In a measure announced on Sunday as Prime Minister Naftali Bennett met with his cabinet, medical equipment, tents, sleeping bags and blankets are being sent in.

Mr Bennett said: “We are praying for the welfare of Ukraine’s citizens and hope that additional bloodshed will be avoided.”

The prime minister also spoke to Vladimir Putin today, offering to serve as an intermediary between Russia and Ukraine in a bid to end the conflict, according to the Jerusalem Post.

A diplomatic source said “Israel is willing to help if it is asked" to "bring the sides together".

In an earlier report by the Post, a “senior diplomatic source” had said that Israel is “unlikely” to serve as an intermediary.

Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky last week asked Mr Bennett to act as mediator with Russia in peace talks.

Ukraine’s Ambassador to Israel Yevgen Korniychuk told the New York Times: “We do believe that Israel is the only democratic state in the world that has great relations with both Ukraine and Russia.

“They didn’t say no. They are trying to figure out where they are in this chess play.”

Russia has now suggested holding talks in Belarus - a move rejected as “propaganda” by the Ukrainian president’s adviser Mykhailo Podolyak.

Belarus is a close ally of Russia and has been used as staging ground for the invasion.

In a video message posted this morning, Mr Zelensky said negotiations should take place in “any other city in a country from whose territory missiles do not fly would suit us”.

He suggested Warsaw, Bratislava, Istanbul, Budapest or Baku as possible alternative venues.