Jerusalem, 23 July, 2025 (TPS-IL) — Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar in Kyiv on Wednesday publicly condemned Russia’s attacks on Ukrainian civilians, the first such statement by an Israeli official since the war began over three years ago.
“We condemn Russia’s attacks on civilians,” adding, “Ukraine has faced heavy attacks, with many civilians killed and injured. My heart goes out to the families who have lost loved ones,” said Sa’ar, standing alongside Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha.
“Israel and Ukraine share a special bond,” Sa’ar said. “Both our nations face war and pain. We are both resilient nations.” He reiterated Israel’s call for “a stable and sustainable peace that will ensure Ukraine’s security.”
Sa’ar emphasized Israel’s humanitarian and logistical support for Ukraine. “We were the first country to open a field hospital in Ukraine. We have sent generators, food, water, and winter equipment. Two weeks ago, I instructed my ministry to provide mobile water purification systems to eastern Ukraine after its water infrastructure was damaged by Russian bombings. This will be implemented shortly,” he said. He also highlighted Israeli assistance in post-trauma care and medical treatment for wounded Ukrainians.
Sa’ar laid a wreath at Kyiv’s Memorial Wall for fallen soldiers and paid his respects at the Holodomor memorial. He also presented Sybiha with a report providing a framework for prosecuting Hamas sexual violence during the October 7 attack. Reports have emerged of sexual violence by Russian soldiers against Ukrainians.
Sa’ar also addressed shared threats posed by Iran, criticizing Tehran’s involvement in the war through its supply of drones to Russia. “Iran is a danger not only to Israel, but to Ukraine as well,” he warned. Sa’ar thanked Kyiv for its “firm stance that Iran should not have nuclear weapons,” and praised the Ukrainian government’s decision to sanction Iranian individuals.
He drew direct parallels between Iranian military technology used against Israel and that used in Ukraine. “We also struck Iran’s drone supply lines — the same technology being used against Ukraine,” he said. “The international community must act decisively against Iran. I call on the E3 countries—Germany, France, and the United Kingdom—to trigger the snapback mechanism now.”
Sa’ar met Artyom Burik, a Ukrainian soldier who lost his wife, daughter, and three other relatives in an Iranian missile strike on Bat Yam in June. His daughter, seven-year-old Nastya, had traveled to Israel for cancer treatment. “With a heavy heart, I met in Kyiv with Artyom Burik,” Sa’ar wrote afterward. “I expressed our condolences and told him that the entire people of Israel are with him in his pain.”
Sa’ar also praised Ukraine for designating Rabbi Nachman of Breslov’s gravesite in Uman as a national heritage site.
“Both Ukraine and Israel are going through difficult times,” he said, “but our nations are strong, and our friendship is solid.”
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