Gantz offers early warning system but no weapons to Ukraine
Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz spoke with his Ukrainian counterpart, Oleksii Reznikov, on Monday and offered to provide the war-torn country with an alert system for early warning of Russian missile and drone attacks.
U.S. Secretary of Defence Lloyd J. Austin III and Ukrainian Minister of Defense Oleksii Reznikov at NATO headquarters, Brussels, June 15, 2022. Credit: Chad J. McNeeley/DoD.
At the start of the call, “Minister Reznikov briefed Minister Gantz on the developments of the war in Ukraine. Minister Gantz expressed his condolences regarding the tragic loss of life and concern regarding the humanitarian crisis as a result of the war,” according to a statement from Gantz’s office.
Gantz reiterated that Israel stands with the Ukrainian people and the West, and his commitment to supporting Kyiv via the delivery of humanitarian aid and life-saving defence equipment. “The ministers agreed to conduct professional dialogue in order to assist Ukraine in the development of a civilian early warning system,” the statement continued.
However, Gantz also stressed “the operational limitations faced by the State of Israel. As a result, Israel will not provide weapon systems to Ukraine.”
The two men concluded the call by agreeing to continue communicating in the coming weeks regarding additional topics on the agenda.
On Oct. 20, a phone call set to take place between Gantz and Reznikov was cancelled at the request of Kyiv, Gantz’s office said.
The incident came after Gantz told European Union ambassadors that while Jerusalem stands with Kyiv, it will not supply it with arms.
JNS
