The former prime minister of Israel, who worked briefly as a mediator at the beginning of Russia's war with Ukraine, asserts that Vladimir Putin would not kill Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
In the opening weeks of the dispute, Naftali Bennett emerged as an improbable mediator, becoming one of the few allies of the West to see the Russian president since February 24 on a last-minute trip to Moscow in March.
Putin vs. Zelensky
While Bennett's mediation efforts were unsuccessful, and the war continues, his statements in a lengthy five-hour-long interview aired online late Saturday shed light on the backroom diplomacy that sought a swift end to the conflict while it was in its infancy.
Bennett stated that after his conversation with Putin, he called the Ukrainian presidential office to inform Zelensky of his Russian adversary's commitment. Bennett further said that during his mediation, Putin renounced his intention to pursue Ukraine's disarmament, and Zelensky pledged not to join NATO.
The Kremlin, which has consistently disputed Ukrainian allegations that Russia wanted to murder Zelensky, did not respond immediately. In response to Bennett's remarks, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba tweeted on Sunday that Putin should not be trusted.
Bennett, a mostly inexperienced leader who had served as prime minister for less than six months when the conflict broke out, suddenly plunged into international diplomacy after positioning Israel in an awkward position between Russia and Ukraine.
He broke his religious obligations by flying to Moscow to meet with Putin on the Jewish Sabbath in March, placing himself at the forefront of global efforts to end the war.
Per Daily Mail, his efforts to promote peace could have been more successful, and his tenure in power was brief. Bennett's administration, an ideologically varied alliance that put current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu into a short political exile, fell due to infighting throughout the summer. Bennett has left politics and is currently a private person.
Israel regards its strong relations with the Kremlin as vital in light of Iran's threats, but it also identifies with Western states and strives to demonstrate support for Ukraine.
It has thus far refrained from deploying offensive weaponry to Ukraine. However, it has provided substantial humanitarian and medical supplies, in addition to assisting in the establishment of field hospitals and delivering bulletproof ambulances.
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Russia-Ukraine War Update
Meanwhile, Ukrainian authorities have warned that Putin's forces are preparing to launch a massive new offensive in the coming weeks, perhaps to grab additional territory before Western tanks arrive.
Oleksiy Reznikov, Ukraine's departing defense minister, stated yesterday that he expects Russia to begin a new onslaught on the partially seized south and eastern territories on or around February 24.
Tanks promised by the West are en route to Ukraine, with some already in Poland, but it will take weeks before they can be deployed to the front. In recent weeks, the United States and the United Kingdom have promised battles of M1 Abrams and Challenger 2 tanks to assist Kyiv in repelling the invaders.
Germany will also transfer its Leopard 2 tanks and authorize other nations with stocks of German-made military equipment to do the same. However, it is anticipated that it will take weeks for the machines to arrive in Kyiv. Ukraine's military forces will require training on their operation and maintenance before they can be used.
The Kremlin has not yet responded to the former prime minister's comments. However, it has previously refuted Ukraine's accusations that Russia planned to kill Zelensky. Israel has positioned itself as an ally with Russia in response to Iran's strategic concerns. However, it has maintained excellent relations with Western nations, particularly the United States, and has backed Ukraine since its invasion.
Bennett's administration, which forced Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu into political exile, disintegrated due to infighting last summer, as per The Independent. Israel considers its strong relations with the Kremlin to be crucial in the face of Iranian threats, but it also tries to identify itself with Western states and demonstrate support for Ukraine.
Internationally unknown and a devout Jew, he violated his religious obligations by flying to Moscow on the Jewish Sabbath to meet with Mutin, placing himself at the forefront of global efforts to end the war. According to The Telegraph via MSN, Bennett has left politics and is currently a private person.
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