Bennett says Israel has ‘moral duty’ to try to find a solution to war in Ukraine

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has spoken of his country’s “moral duty” to find a diplomatic solution to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine after making a surprise visit to Moscow for a meeting with Vladimir Putin on Saturday.

Without revealing details of his talks with the Russian president, Bennett told a Cabinet meeting at home on Sunday that “even if the chances are not great,” he believes Israel must “try and make an effort to do something.”

Bennett added:”As long as the candle is burning – we must try, and maybe we can still act.”

He continued:”We have access to all sides and the ability. There is a moral duty to do everything.”

Reports in Israel said the PM had informed his ministers:”“I went to Moscow and Berlin to try to help bring a dialogue between all the sides, with the blessing and encouragement of all the players.”

Since Russia invaded Ukraine Israel has attempted to tread a difficult path by supporting near universal condemnation of the Kremlin’s actions in Ukraine while maintaining security coordination with Russia, particularly in relation to the fly zone over Syria.

Bennett had met with Putin for three hours on Saturday at the Kremlin.

The Israeli PM obtained dispensation to fly on Shabbat on the grounds he was attempting to preserve human life by entering into the talks in Moscow.

The two leaders discussed the war in Ukraine, including the situation of Israelis and Jewish communities as a result of the conflict, a diplomatic source told Israeli newspapers.

In addition, Putin and Bennett also discussed the Iran nuclear deal, with a return to the 2015 deal, including Tehran, set to be announced this week after negotiations in Vienna.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov made new demands in relation to the Iran nuclear deal over the weekend, calling for written guarantees that any sanctions relating to the Ukraine war will not stop it from trading with Iran.

Israeli officials confirmed Bennett had informed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in advance of his meeting with Putin, and called him again before departing Moscow.

Bennett also spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron.

The Israeli PM then flew to Berlin after the meeting with Putin, to have dinner with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

Reports on Sunday said Bennett had also coordinated his trip to Moscow in advance with the US, France and Germany.

Turkey was updated as well with Bennett’s flight route going over their territory.

But one Hebrew-speaking adviser to Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky told an Israeli radio station on Sunday that the purpose of the surprise meeting in Moscow was unclear.

After Bennett left Moscow, President Zelensky tweeted: “We continue dialogue.”