The Ukrainian website Kyiv Post reported on Thursday that Kyiv is considering the axing of the mutual visa-free travel policy it has with Israel. The website quoted Ukrainian sources who criticized Israel in an unprecedented manner, accusing it of a pro-Russian stance.
If the visa-free travel is canceled, thousands of Israeli worshippers who take part in the annual pilgrimage to the tomb of the Hasidic leader Rabbi Nachman of Bratslav will be affected.
The report, which was published a day after Israel's Finance Ministry suspended the medical coverage for 14,000 Ukrainian refugees living in Israel, was confirmed by a Ukrainian diplomatic source who spoke to Haaretz.
According to the Kyiv Post, Ukraine plans to exclude Israel from the so-called Ramstein Format – a monthly gathering of 54 pro-Ukraine coalition countries, including all 30 NATO members, who coordinate the military aid delivered to Ukraine.
The Kyiv Post quoted a source in Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council, who stated that "The Israeli authorities never provided any real help. Instead, the information received during the [Ramstein Format] meetings is used by Israel in its own interests."
According to the source, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant attended the Ramstein Format meeting in June, but did not use the opportunity to talk with his Ukrainian counterpart Oleksiy Reznikov, but to meet instead with the U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.
The source further stated that the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry is preparing the legislation needed for the axing of the mutual visa-free travel policy and that it will be considered by the cabinet "in the coming weeks."
The Kyiv Post also cited an unnamed source, who allegedly stated that Kyiv's intention to exclude Israel from the Ramstein Format stems from "unfriendly actions toward Ukraine and a pro-Russian position in the international arena."
The report discusses a claim by Ukraine’s ambassador to Israel, Yevgeny Korniychuk, who in a recent interview with the Times of Israel had noted that Israel has been denying the entry of about 10 percent of Ukrainian tourists who visit the country.
Talking to Haaretz a few days ago, Korniychuk said that the number of Ukrainians who were denied entry to Israel has doubled compared to last year. Korniychuk refused to comment on the Kyiv Post report, which was widely quoted in the Ukrainian media.
Israel's Population and Immigration Authority denied Korniychuk's claims. A statement by the authority noted that 46,095 Ukrainians entered Israel since January while 2,527 – about 5.5 percent – were denied.
The authority's statement added that "Israel welcomes every foreign visitor, including Ukrainian citizens," adding that "occasionally, when a well-founded suspicion arises as part of the entry procedure that the traveler, whether a Ukrainian or a visitor from another country, has arrived [in Israel] to work illegally or for the purpose of immigration, his or her entry is indeed denied."
The Kyiv Post source said that only a diplomatic intervention "at the highest level" could lead to a solution to the crisis with Israel. The last and only conversation between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy took place in December.
At the beginning of the week, Foreign Minister Eli Cohen visited Moldova to inspect the preparations for the arrival of the Israeli worshippers, who are expected to visit the country on their way to Ukraine. The source condemned Israel for conducting high-level diplomatic contact with Moldova, but not with Ukraine. The Israeli Foreign Ministry did not comment on these claims.
Ukraine has expressed dissatisfaction with Israel's diplomatic position since the beginning of the Russian invasion. The tension between the countries has also stemmed from Israel's extensive ties with Russia, and its refusal to provide Ukraine with advanced defense equipment and military means.
While the previous Israeli government supplied Ukraine with helmets and protective vests, Netanyahu's cabinet said it would provide Kyiv with a warning system against aerial threats. The Israeli news website Walla reported at the end of April that Israel plans to conduct a test of the warning system in Kyiv, but there has have been no further reports about whether it is operational.
Ukraine has repeatedly issued requests for Israel to supply them with the Magen Or laser air-defense system, Barak 8 missile system, Patriot missiles, Iron Dome missile interceptor, David's Sling interceptor system and the Arrow anti-ballistic missile. Israel's consistent position is that it cannot supply weapons to Ukraine for fear that this will harm relations with Russia, which controls the Syrian airspace.
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