TEL AVIV — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was one of the first world leaders to congratulate Benjamin Netanyahu on his election victory, first on Twitter and then by phone. The call took place Nov. 7 and was friendly. Reports said Zelenskyy asked for Israeli arms and invited Netanyahu to visit Kyiv. Netanyahu reportedly promised to examine the arms issue once formally entering office.

After this conversation, Zelenskyy tweeted again: “I had a phone call with Netanyahu. I congratulated him on winning the elections and wished him a successful formation of the new government. I expressed hope that the level of Ukrainian-Israeli interaction will correspond to the security challenges facing our countries.”

Over the past few months Zelenskyy has often expressed his disappointment over Israel's refusal to supply Ukraine with Iron Dome batteries against missiles and other weapons. Last April, Israel shifted its original position on the issue, agreeing to supply Ukraine with defensive equipment on top of its large humanitarian aid. Still, Prime Minister Yair Lapid and Defense Minister Benny Gantz repeatedly refused to extend that help to include arms.

Congratulating Netanyahu on his win Nov. 3, Zelenskyy noted, “We hope to open a new page in cooperation with the new government.”