Foreign Minister Yair Lapid’s briefing to reporters Feb. 13 about escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine can best be described as circumspect. It focused on the urgent need to evacuate Israelis still in the volatile region. The reason for this is that official Israel is doing everything it can to avoid taking a stance in the conflict. It is caught between Ukraine and the West on one hand and the Russians on the other hand. It maintains friendly relations with all the parties involved in the conflict and shares mutual security, diplomatic and cultural interests with them.

Nevertheless, beyond his carefully chosen words, the Israeli foreign minister seemed to be implying that Israel tended to favor Ukraine. Lapid also stressed that Israel is the only country that has not removed its diplomats from the beleaguered nation. On the contrary, it actually increased staffing at its embassy there during the crisis. He also discussed his meeting earlier that day with Ukraine’s deputy Foreign Minister Emine Dzheppar and how they reached an understanding that the embassy would open a second office in Lviv should this be deemed necessary.

As expected, Lapid also expressed his hope that the crisis would be resolved diplomatically. When asked point-blank why Israel has maintained its neutrality, he responded, “Israel’s response is no different from the responses of countries like Germany, the Netherlands or Korea. We are one step below the American response. The Ukrainians have a clear interest to ensure that nothing happens, but we will only know in the next few days whether something does happen.” He continued, “Our position is that every step must be taken to avoid a clash between Russia and Ukraine. … It is quite possible that I am showing more caution than other foreign ministers. That is because both countries, Russia and Ukraine, have sizable Jewish communities, which we must protect. But the Israeli position is in complete accord with all the other West nations that everything must be done to avoid armed conflict.”

When asked whether Israel might mediate the dispute, he answered, “Israel is not involved in the conflict, so it is proceeding with caution.”