Ukraine's Zelenskyy calls on Israel to act against Russia-Iran alliance

Addressing the Haaretz Democracy Conference today, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned of an increasing Iranian threat. He reminded listeners of the events of Oct. 17, when 15 Russian cruise missiles and 42 Iranian combat drones hit essential infrastructure as well as residential buildings, including a 120-year-old building in Kyiv built by a pillar of the Jewish community.

According to Ukrainian intelligence, said Zelenskyy, Russia had ordered about 2,000 Shahed attack drones from Iran in addition to missiles and other drones. Iranian instructors, he added, came to Russia to demonstrate how to use the unmanned vehicles.

Reiterating previous calls, Zelenskyy said his country does not have an Iron Dome. "We still do not have a modern and effective air defense and missile defense system that could secure our skies." The Ukrainian president argued that Russia is likely not paying Iran for the drones it supplies but looking for Russian assistance in developing its nuclear program. "Probably, this is exactly the meaning of their alliance." Zelenskyy said that this alliance between Moscow and Tehran would never have come about had the Israeli leadership agreed to help Kyiv protect Ukrainian skies. He also said his country had been asking Israel for air defense assistance against Russian aggression since 2014.

Interpreting Zelenskyy’s call: The Ukrainian president has addressed Israeli audiences on several occasions. On some of them, Zelenskyy referred to his own Jewish origins and invoked Jewish solidarity. But his address today focused on the emerging Russia-Iran alliance, an argument Zelenskyy believes could pressure Israel’s security and political establishments into shifting their stance on assisting Ukraine militarily. So far, Israel has offered Ukraine vast humanitarian aid and defensive equipment including helmets and protective vests, but no weapons or Iron Dome batteries.