Former Israeli Prime Minister and leader of the opposition party "Yesh Atid," Yair Lapid, announced his team's intention to increase support for Ukraine should they return to power. According to him, the situation has changed since 2022, as Russia has drawn closer to Iran, while Ukraine has acquired technologies that could be useful to Israel.
Lapid does not regret refusing to supply Ukraine with weapons and “Iron Dome” systems in 2022, explaining that the decision was based on Israel’s own security needs. He emphasized that the decision was more closely tied to Israel’s domestic priorities than to the war in Ukraine.
He also noted that during his administration, Israel provided Ukraine with a field hospital and offered several defense systems. Lapid assured that if his government returns to power, it will be more proactive in providing support to Ukraine.
Lapid noted that the new technologies Ukraine has received open up more opportunities for military cooperation between the two countries. He believes that the current military and political circumstances allow for strengthening ties between Israel and Ukraine.
He also acknowledged that world leaders erred in attempting to assess the risks of a Russian invasion of Ukraine by placing their trust in the Kremlin’s rationality. Lapid emphasized that the decision to invade was illogical and demonstrated the irrationality of dictators.
