Israel has condemned Russia’s action and sent humanitarian aid to Ukraine, but has not formally leveled sanctions. Individual Israeli companies, however, have halted their operations in Russia.

Israel has attempted to walk a thin diplomatic line over the war, taking a strong stand in support of Ukraine and maintaining strong ties with the US. At the same time, however, it has been careful in its condemnations not to take actions that would cut off ties with Moscow, such as sanctions.

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has used Israel’s strong ties with both Moscow and Ukraine to mediate between them. He met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Saturday and has engaged in telephone diplomacy with Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

The US official spoke positively of diplomatic initiatives by Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and other international leaders to attempt to mediate an end to the war that began two weeks ago.

“We are supportive of all the efforts going on to try and bring this conflict to a close, including [from] EU leaders, individual EU country leader[s], PM Bennett,” he said.

The US official said that in all instances the Biden administration had been updated.

“In all these cases, these efforts have been closely coordinated with the US,” the official said. “There have been direct conversations before and after each of these encounters.”

He added that he sincerely hoped such diplomacy was successful but warned that the Russian engagement may not be sincere.

“We have seen Putin extend the false hand of diplomacy before,” he said.

https://www.jpost.com/international/article-700768