Yair Lapid: Russians will not evade sanctions through Israel

Israeli foreign minister Yair Lapid has pledged to stop Russians evading sanctions by using the country's economy.

In a statement made after a bilateral meeting with the Slovakian foreign minister, Lapid said: "Israel will not be a route to bypass sanctions imposed on Russia by the United States & other western countries. The ministry of foreign affairs is coordinating the issue together with partners including the Bank of Israel, the ministry of finance, the ministry of the economy, the Airports Authority, and others."

I just concluded a productive work meeting with my friend, Slovak FM @IvanKorcok. We discussed continuing our cooperation at the Vyšné Nemecké crossing between Ukraine and Slovakia. 🇮🇱 🇸🇰 pic.twitter.com/5L5xkg1HV9

— יאיר לפיד - Yair Lapid (@yairlapid) March 14, 2022

He also pledged that: "Israel will do everything it can to assist mediation efforts, to stop the shooting and restore peace. We are working together with our greatest ally, the United States, and our European friends, to prevent the continuation of this tragedy."

Lapid's statement comes just a day after a plane owned by Israeli-Portuguese-Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich flew from Moscow to Israel, and a heavily secured car was seen leaving his estate in Herzylia.

A vehicle is spotted leaving a property owned by Roman Abramovich in Herzylia, amid rumours the oligarch is in Israel pic.twitter.com/k9BZUZw3pd

— The Jewish Chronicle (@JewishChron) March 14, 2022