Zelensky will be less enthusiastic: the public compliment Israel received from Russia regarding Ukraine
Russia's ambassador to Israel, Anatoly Viktorov, published an article marking 35 years since the renewal of diplomatic relations, in which he praised Israel for its refusal to supply offensive weapons to Ukraine and criticized Israeli banks for 'excessive caution' preventing direct payments.
To mark 35 years since the renewal of diplomatic relations between Russia and Israel, Russia's ambassador to Israel, Anatoly Viktorov, published a comprehensive article outlining Moscow's vision for the Middle East. In his article, Viktorov praises Israel's current policy, particularly its refusal to supply offensive weapons to Ukraine in its war against Russia. He reviews the historical ties between the peoples, including the role of the Red Army in World War II and the Soviet Union's recognition of Israel in 1948. The ambassador criticizes the use of military force in the region and calls for a political solution, while offering Moscow's mediation. Economically, he reveals that annual trade volume exceeds two billion dollars, but criticizes Israeli banks for 'excessive caution' preventing direct payments. Viktorov concludes with optimism and expresses hope that Israel will not join anti-Russian sanctions, noting that Putin and Netanyahu held six phone calls in 2025 and one in January 2026.