Zelensky says he is shocked by Israel's failure to give Ukraine weapons

Speaking to French TV Ukrainian president's comments seen as sterner that in March, when chiding Israel for its reluctance to send weapons, making non-committal response and claiming to help Ukraine as much as it could

Reuters|Updated:
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he was "in shock" at Israel's failure to give Kyiv anti-missile systems to help counter Russian attacks, according to an interview made public on Saturday.
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  • Zelenskiy has been asking for the weapons since shortly after the war started in February. He has mentioned Israel's Iron Dome system, often used to intercept rockets fired by Palestinian militants in Gaza.
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    נשיא אוקראינה וולודימיר זלנסקי וראש ממשלת בריטניה בוריס ג'ונסון בקייב
    נשיא אוקראינה וולודימיר זלנסקי וראש ממשלת בריטניה בוריס ג'ונסון בקייב
    Volodymyr Zelensky
    (Photo: EPA)
    "I don't know what happened to Israel. I'm honestly, frankly - I am in shock, because I don't understand why they couldn't give us air defenses," he said.
    Zelensky made the remarks in an interview with French reporters on Wednesday. His office released a recording of the interview on Saturday.
    His comments were stronger than those he made in March, when he chided Israel for its reluctance to send weapons. At the time, Israel was non-committal, saying it would help Ukraine as much as it could.
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    נזקים במיקולאייב
    נזקים במיקולאייב
    Homes destroyed in Russian shelling of Ukraine
    (Photo: Reuters )
    Israel, which has condemned the Russian invasion, is wary of straining ties with Moscow, a powerbroker in neighboring Syria where Israeli forces frequently attack pro-Iranian militia.
    "I understand - they have a difficult situation, regarding the situation with Syria and Russia," Zelensky said, adding that he was not making accusations.
    "I am stating the facts. My conversations with the Israeli leadership have done nothing to help Ukraine."
    First published: 13:17, 09.25.22
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