Zelensky slams Israeli 'neutrality', warns of heightened Iranian nuclear threat from Russian cooperation

Israel’s prioritising of relations with Russia that allow it to operate freely against Iranian-backed elements in Syria is thought to be behind this arrangement.

Mr Zelensky claimed this understanding between Jerusalem and Moscow  “was seemingly adopted a long time ago — in 2014 when Russia began its aggression against Ukraine. The decision ‘not to annoy’ the Kremlin, not to help Ukraine for real.”

“I emphasise, we have been asking Israel for help since 2014,” the year Russia annexed Crimea and pro-Russian militias sparked conflict in eastern Ukraine.

“Isn’t it time for your state to choose who you are with?” 

“Is it with the democratic world, which is fighting side by side against the existential threat to its existence? Or with those who turn a blind eye to Russian terror, even when the cost of continued terror is the complete destruction of global security?”

The Ukrainian President also hinted at Israel’s concerns over Iran obtaining nuclear capacity, noting that Russia has “been significantly reduced” in Syria as the Kremlin focuses on fortifying its operations in Europe.

Mr Zelensky estimated that Russia had ordered around 2,000 Iranian drones for its Ukrainian advances, the models which he maintains were used in recent Russian strikes in Ukraine.

“The disgusting sound of Iranian drones is heard in our skies every night. According to our intelligence, Russia ordered about 2,000 ‘Shaheds’ from Iran.

“Iranian instructors came to teach Russians how to use drones”, reiterating Washington’s statement last week that accused Iran of shipping military personnel to train Crimea-based drone operators.

“Unfortunately, we do not have our own ‘Iron Dome.’ We still do not have a modern and effective air defence and missile defence system that could secure our skies.

 “In eight months of full-scale war, Russia has used almost 4,500 missiles against us. And their stock of missiles is dwindling. This is why Russia went looking for affordable weapons in other countries to continue terror. It found them in Iran.”

Adding insult to injury, Mr Zelensky warned Israel that their neutrality could encourage Iran to request Russian help in its bid to obtain nuclear weapons.

“I have a question for you – how does Russia pay Iran for this, in your opinion? Is Iran just interested in money? Probably not money at all, but Russian assistance to the Iranian nuclear program.

"Probably, this is exactly the meaning of their alliance. And this alliance of theirs,” he claimed, going on: “simply would not have happened if your politicians had made only one decision at the time — the decision we asked for.”

“Every time we in Ukraine, at the meetings of the staff of the supreme commander-in-chief, discuss Russian missile and drone terror, we also talk about our partners who already help or can help protect the sky. Unfortunately, the words – Israel, Israeli – do not sound at that moment. Of course, this is the decision of your state, your governments.”

He highlighted how Ukraine had asked Israel for assistance since 2014, explaining: “If we had immediately secured our skies when faced with a missile and drone threat, Russia would not even have a motive now to go to Iran and offer it something in exchange for assistance in terror.

“But that’s what happened. And I think that this alliance of theirs can still be rendered meaningless. If we act together, with you, in the same way as with other democracies.”

Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid, who will next Tuesday face Israel's fifth general election in three years, stressed Israel’s “deep concern about the military ties between Iran and Russia” speaking with Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba on 20 October.

However Mr Zelensky said he was “grateful” for the support many members of the public and members of Israeli civil society had offered. “I’m grateful to you and all the Israeli media that spread the truth about this war and condemn Russian terror.

“I’m thankful to all of your people who took to the streets after the start of the full-scale war, and we saw — we are supported in the Promised Land.

“I believe that we will see support in the sky as well. On Monday Israel’s Defence Minister Benny Gantz discussed the possibility of providing Ukraine with early warning systems to notify civilians of incoming strikes with his Ukrainian opposite Oleksii Reznikov.

While he was keen to highlight Israel’s ongoing provision of humanitarian assistance, he emphasises  “the operational limitations” it faced regarding its arrangement with Russia in Syria.

“As a result, Israel will not provide weapon systems to Ukraine,” he explained.

Former Prime Minister and Likud chairman Benjamin Netanyahu has promised to "look into" supplying weapons to Ukraine if he once again wins the top job.