Netanyahu to hold first meeting with Zelensky since start of Russia war

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to meet with Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly later this month, Ukraine’s Ambassador to Israel Yevgen Korniychuk told Israeli media. 

The meeting will mark the first between an Israeli prime minister and Zelenskyy since Russia invaded Ukraine in early 2022.

Zelenskyy has previously said that he invited Netanyahu to visit him in Kiev, but that the prime minister refused so far.

The two leaders spoke over the phone earlier this week, with Netanyahu’s office saying that Zelenskyy had made it clear that there are not enough shelters in Uman for local residents, let alone foreign tourists, ahead of the annual pilgrimage by Israeli Jews.

“Israeli citizens who are traveling to Ukraine need to act responsibly regarding their trips at this time. The Holy One has not always protected us, both on Ukrainian and other European soil,” Netanyahu said.

“It must be understood that in the State of Israel, when missiles fall on us, citizens enter shelters and there is protection. There, there are no shelters and no protection,” he added.