Russia’s Syria exit could help Ukraine-Israel relationship as analyst warns it ‘offers little’ to Jerusalem

With the collapse of the Assad regime and Russia’s declining influence in Syria, there is now an opportunity for a potential rapprochement between Israel and Ukraine. Yuli Edelstein, a prominent member of Israel’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, believes that Israel needs to step up its support for Ukraine in light of these changing dynamics. He emphasized that the balance of power has shifted, with a strategic alliance between Russia and Iran becoming more apparent.

The Ukrainian Ambassador to Israel, Yevhen Korniychuk, has been advocating for closer military cooperation and assistance from Israel. He emphasized the shared threats faced by both countries, particularly in terms of defense against Iranian drones. Korniychuk urged Israel to reassess its cautious stance towards Ukraine and to seize the opportunity for greater collaboration.

Despite Israel’s historically delicate relationship with Russia, intelligence cooperation between Israel and Ukraine has flourished. While political relations may be cautious, there is a strong foundation for military and intelligence collaboration between the two countries. This collaboration could be crucial in addressing common security challenges, such as drone attacks.

Rebekah Koffler, a strategic military intelligence analyst, highlighted the strategic advantages for Israel in maintaining a stable relationship with Russia. She noted that Russia still holds significant leverage in the Middle East, and Israel benefits from this relationship in managing the Iranian threat and maintaining influence in the region. However, she acknowledged that the changing security landscape may present new opportunities for Israel to support Ukraine.

Daniel Vajdich, a Republican foreign policy expert, pointed out that Israel’s exceptional defense capabilities, particularly in air defense, could be valuable assets for Ukraine. He suggested that the shifting geopolitical landscape could provide Israel with more freedom to support Ukraine without facing external pressure. This could lead to increased collaboration between the two countries in the future.

Overall, the potential for a closer relationship between Israel and Ukraine is becoming more apparent, given the changing dynamics in the region. While Israel has historically maintained a cautious approach, the evolving security landscape may provide new opportunities for collaboration and support. It remains to be seen how Israel will navigate these complex relationships in the future.