Ukraine to possibly recognize al-Quds as "Israel's" capital

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Yevgen Korniychuk, Ukraine’s Ambassador to "Israel", said Thursday that his country could recognize al-Quds as "Israel’s" “one and only capital” soon, and hopes to open a branch of its embassy in the city in the coming year, during a visit by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Korniychuk told The Times of 'Israel' that he believes Zelensky may make the move toward recognition in a matter of months, however, Ukraine has certain demands in terms of its partnership with the Israeli occupation in security and defense before that can happen, implying a trade-off.

The ambassador's remarks came at an event marking 30 years of Ukraine's ties with "Israel", amid rising tensions between Ukraine and Russia. 

Ukraine's Defense Minister Alexey Reznikov visited "Israel" in November for the 12th meeting of the "Israel"-Ukraine Joint Economic Committee, where the issue of al-Quds was raised, according to sources with knowledge of Reznikov’s meetings. It was also raised with Zelensky in October when the occupation's President, Isaac Herzog, visited Ukraine.

Recognition for armament 

The timing of the announcement raises some big questions, notably as the tensions between Ukraine and Russia are at an all-time high.

With accusations of harboring western-sent militants in the guise of professors as well as the now-delayed military aid deal it struck with the US, Ukraine is adamant on bolstering its military capacities by any means necessary.

It seems Kyiv is counting on military and defensive support from "Israel" in exchange for supplying it with a dose of political reconnaissance of its - illegitimate - sovereignty over al-Quds. 

This possibility of Ukraine recognizing occupied al-Quds as the capital of "Israel", akin to what former US President Donald Trump did, would be a clear violation of international law notably article 41(2) of the Articles on the Responsibility of States for Internationally Wrongful Acts (ARSIWA).

Trump's decision was highly contested and condemned, even from close western allies, yet nonetheless, he proceeded with it in the hopes of receiving ex-Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu's unwavering support in the presidential elections.

Fast-forward to the end of 2021, Trump wages of full verbal war on Netanyahu whom he considered to have betrayed him after the ex-PM swiftly shifted sides and congratulated his presidential opponent Joe Biden.

Yet the Netanyahu-Trump debacle goes far in showcasing the extent of "guarantees" the Israeli regime is willing to give, be it political or military, when making concessions and Ukraine is no exception in that regard.