Israel must be prepared for potential political consequences if it proceeds with reported plans to supply Ukraine with US-made air defense systems, according to Russia’s permanent representative to the UN, Vassily Nebenzia. The warning comes amid discussions among the US, Israel, and Ukraine regarding the delivery of up to eight old Israeli Patriot systems to Kiev.
The Financial Times reported last week that representatives from all three countries were involved in negotiations over the potential sale. However, these talks have yet to reach a conclusion. If finalized, it is possible that the Israeli Patriots would first be sent to the United States before being supplied to Ukraine, which is currently facing a significant deficit in air defense capabilities.
Russia assumes the rotating presidency of the UN Security Council as Nebenzia warns Israel about the potential political ramifications of sending weapons to Kiev. The Russian diplomat believes that any weapons provided to Ukraine by external actors will ultimately be destroyed, just as Western and US weapons have been throughout the conflict.
Despite this warning, Israel announced plans in April to retire its more than 30-year-old M901 PAC-2 batteries and replace them with more advanced air defense systems. However, these older systems remain in service due to concerns that tensions with Lebanon’s armed movement Hezbollah could escalate into a full-scale war.
In contrast to its stance during the ongoing conflict between Moscow and Kiev, Israel has limited its engagement with Ukraine to providing humanitarian aid while refraining from supplying any weapons. A year ago, the Jewish state rejected a request by Vladimir Zelensky for Israeli Iron Dome air defense systems.
Russia has consistently maintained that foreign weapons supplied to Ukraine will not prevent Moscow from achieving its military objectives, but rather prolong the fighting and increase the likelihood of direct conflict between Russia and NATO. As a result, Israel must carefully consider the potential political consequences of supplying air defense systems to Kiev before proceeding with such an arrangement.