Zelensky once again criticizes 'Israel' over lack of aid

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized on Monday the Israeli occupation once again for withholding air defense systems that he said Kiev needed to protect Ukraine from airstrikes waged by Russia.

"Every time we discuss Russia's rocket and drone terror we talk about our partners who are already doing whatever they can to protect the sky. Unfortunately, the words 'Israel' and 'Israeli' are never mentioned," he said in a video address.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in late September that he was "shocked" the Israeli occupation was not joining the West in supplying Kiev with weapons in light of the Ukraine war.

"I understand that they need to defend their territory, but I have learned from our intelligence that Israel has been actually supplying these defense systems to other countries," Zelensky said on September 23.

Ukraine is still yet to receive any aid from "Israel", however. The occupation's ambassador to Ukraine, Michael Brodsky had said earlier in the month that "Tel Aviv" was ready to help Kiev against Russia in the ongoing war, but without crossing the "red lines" that could undermine its security.

What comes off as inaccurate about the Ukrainian President's words is that Israeli media reported in mid-September that an Israeli arms manufacturer was supplying anti-UAV systems to Ukraine via Poland, with the sales conducted through Warsaw to circumvent "Tel Aviv's" refusal to sell advanced arms to Ukraine.

The Israeli occupation uses anti-drone systems around the Gaza separation wall, the Palestinian-Lebanese borders, and the Palestinian-Syrian borders, with "Israel" claimed to be one of the world's top developers and manufacturers of the technology with the involvement of various Israeli arms manufacturers, such as IAI, Elbit, and MCTECH.

The Israeli occupation has refused to join the West's bid in arming Ukraine, arguing that it would harm its already sensitive ties with Russia.

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The Israeli occupation last week rebuffed a Ukrainian request for a phone call between Israeli security minister Benny Gantz and Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov, Israeli Haaretz newspaper reported.

Former Russian President and senior Security Council of Russia member Dmitry Medvedev warned "Israel" Monday against providing weapons to Ukraine, stressing that any move to boost Kiev's arsenal would severely damage bilateral relations.

However, due to "Israel's" support of Ukraine, tensions soared between "Tel Aviv" and Moscow, prompting the latter to close the "Jewish Agency for Israel's" work in Russia, giving rise to further tensions.