Relations between Israel and Ukraine, once perceived as based on mutual understanding and a sense of "one big family" according to the Ukrainian ambassador, are now at a historic low point. A series of diplomatic events in recent months has deepened the rift between the countries, culminating in Israel's vote against a resolution supporting Ukrainian sovereignty at the UN and harsh criticism from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky regarding Israel's military operation in Gaza.

The latest development in the crisis occurred on February 24, 2025, exactly three years after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, when Israel joined the United States in voting against a UN resolution calling for the preservation of Ukraine's territorial sovereignty. The resolution, which passed by an overwhelming majority of 93 countries, also called for the cessation of hostilities and a peaceful resolution to the war between Russia and Ukraine. Israel was among only 18 countries that opposed the resolution, alongside Russia and North Korea.

"I keep receiving calls from Israeli ministers, Knesset members, and ordinary citizens saying how embarrassed they are about this vote", said Ukrainian Ambassador to Israel Yevgen Korniychuk in a harsh statement following the vote. "Unfortunately, the State of Israel has found itself among those 18 countries that opposed supporting the fundamental principles of truth and democracy".

The ambassador added: "It is so difficult to understand the position of State of Israel officials, a country that is at war after being attacked unprovoked, a country that, like Ukraine, is fighting for its right to exist".

Israel's vote followed a significant shift in American policy toward the war in Ukraine, after US President Donald Trump, who returned to the White House in January, harshly criticized President Zelensky and adopted positions closer to those of Russia. Trump said at a press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron that he was focused on reaching a ceasefire agreement between Russia and Ukraine "as quickly as possible", noting that the US had had "several excellent conversations" with Russia since he took office last month.

Israel aligned with the US in this vote, and until the last moment, it was unclear whether the US would indeed vote against the resolution. This represents a sharp turn in Israel's approach to the conflict, as since the beginning of the war, Israel had supported Ukraine's territorial integrity and even tried to mediate between Ukraine and Russia.

Zelensky Against Israel: Direct Involvement in the Gaza Issue

Parallel to the diplomatic crisis surrounding the UN vote, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky publicly criticized Israel's operation in Gaza. During his visit to Singapore, Zelensky said that his country was ready to provide humanitarian aid to Gaza residents, while dividing what has occurred since the October 7 massacre into two separate periods.

"We said on the first day of the Hamas attack on Israeli civilians that Israel has the right to defend itself", Zelensky said. But he continued: "After Israel was in Gaza territory, a humanitarian crisis was created there, and Ukraine said we are ready to provide humanitarian aid to Gaza, and international law must be respected".

At this point, Zelensky directly criticized Israel and declared: "Ukraine recognizes two states, Israel and Palestine, and will do everything for Israel to stop in order to end this conflict and so that civilians are not harmed".

This statement was perceived in Israel as direct interference in its affairs and support for critical positions regarding the fighting in Gaza, contrary to Israel's expectation of solidarity from a country that is itself under attack.

Ukrainian Voting Pattern at the UN: "Ukraine Has Not Voted for Any Pro-Israel Resolution"

Examining Ukraine's voting patterns at the UN over the past decade reveals a complex picture of relations between the countries. According to published data, in the last decade (2015-2025), Ukraine has not voted for any pro-Israel resolution in the UN General Assembly. During this period, Ukraine voted against Israel in 75% of relevant resolutions and abstained in 25% of them.

In July 2023, Israel's ambassador to Ukraine, Michael Brodsky, noted that Ukraine supports approximately 90% of anti-Israel resolutions at the UN. In November 2022, for example, Ukraine supported a resolution to refer the issue of "ongoing Israeli occupation" to the International Court of Justice in The Hague.

On the other hand, a senior Ukrainian official, Alexei Arestovich, admitted that "Ukraine's votes against Israel at the UN are a mistake that needs to be corrected".

In response to this pattern, Israel abstained in a UN vote on a resolution calling for compensation to Ukraine following the Russian invasion, apparently in protest of Ukraine's support for anti-Israel resolutions.

The Uman Issue: Tensions in Religious Tourism

Another dimension of tension between the countries concerns visits by Jewish Hasidim to the city of Uman in Ukraine. According to Israeli sources, "Every year Ukraine introduces 'new laws' for the entry of Jews to Ukraine to the city of Uman," creating a sense of discrimination and deliberate obstacles toward Jewish and Israeli visitors.

The issue of visits to Uman, which has become a constant point of tension between the countries, raises questions about the sincerity of Ukraine's commitment to relations with the Jewish community and the Jewish state.

Israeli Aid and Ukrainian Disappointment

Despite the current tension, Israel has sided with Ukraine throughout most of the war and has provided assistance, mainly in supplying protection items, including helmets, vests, and NBC masks. Israel also transferred the "Red Color" alert system to Ukraine, and the two countries exchanged intelligence on Iranian aid to Russia, particularly regarding the supply of attack drones.

However, throughout the three years of war, Ukraine expected Israel to upgrade its support and provide offensive weapons as well, but Israel refrained from doing so due to concerns about provoking Russia's anger, which caused deep disappointment among Ukrainians. Reports published recently suggested that Israel had transferred "Patriot" defense systems to Ukraine, but it turned out that this was not direct assistance but rather the delivery of the systems to the US, which then transferred them to Ukraine itself.

Meanwhile, allegations of corruption and theft of humanitarian aid in Ukraine also cast a shadow over relations. According to journalistic investigations quoted in the text, about 80% of the humanitarian aid Israel gave to Ukraine was stolen, raising questions about the effectiveness and usefulness of continued assistance.

Jerusalem vs. Brussels: Geopolitical Choices

Sources in Israel see Ukraine's behavior as a strategic choice to move closer to the European Union at the expense of relations with Israel and the US. In fact, "Ukraine publicly claims that Jerusalem is not the capital of Israel, and therefore their embassy is in Tel Aviv while the US embassy is in Jerusalem – perhaps Ukraine needs to learn a few things," said a source quoted in the text.

Ukraine has chosen to be a friend of Brussels rather than Jerusalem, contrary to Ukraine's interest in getting closer to the US, where there is a "strong Jewish lobby" that could have helped Ukraine.

There Is a Price for Anti-Israel Politics

Senia Waldberg, a communications advisor and commentator, addressed the issue saying: "To everyone who was shocked that we voted against Ukraine at the UN. First of all, we voted because Trump asked, and we will now do everything Trump asks. Because Israel comes first. Secondly, as someone who defended Ukraine and still thinks we should help Ukraine because Russia is an enemy state, Zelensky can shut up a bit. First, Ukraine should stop voting against us at the UN and stop criticizing us. Then they can come with complaints".

His words reflect a prevalent feeling in Israel that "there is indeed a price for anti-Israel politics", especially when many Israelis supported Ukraine throughout the war, both at the governmental and civilian levels.

Is the Current Crisis a Breaking Point?

Public opinion in Ukraine sided with Israel after the October 7 massacre, and generally, there was a sense of shared fate with Israel in the country. But the current diplomatic crisis, combined with the problematic history of relations between the two countries at the UN, raises a big question mark about the future of relations.

"In Ukraine, they need to understand that Jews have a good memory", another source is quoted, hinting that Ukrainian positions on matters concerning Israel can affect relations in the long term.

In the coming weeks, it will become clear whether this is a passing crisis or a turning point in relations between the countries, which could also affect Israel's already complex relationship with Russia and the balance of power in the region. Meanwhile, the two countries find themselves in a paradoxical position – both fighting for their existence against external threats, but struggling to find a way for mutual solidarity and consistent support for each other on the international stage.

Ukraine's Mistake: Ignoring Israel and History

Zelensky and Ukraine in general erred in choosing their partners. They aspired to get closer to the European Union, but the Union itself did not particularly need them. Ukraine chose a strategy dictated by the European Union and ignored its ties with Israel and the United States. They forgot that it was Israel, even before the European Union, that eliminated the need for entry visas and sought to establish genuine friendship. However, Ukraine's repeated votes against the Jewish people at the UN have taken their toll. American and Israeli Jews, naturally, harbor resentment toward Ukraine, and as long as it does not recognize Hamas as a terrorist organization, deep and meaningful friendship is impossible.

Additionally, Ukraine's heroes are far from being moral exemplars. In Israel, they cannot forgive the naming of avenues and streets after Stepan Bandera, who caused the deaths of hundreds of Jews and collaborated with the Nazis. Yad Vashem contains all the necessary evidence of Bandera's crimes, and his coronation as a national hero of Ukraine is a provocation and disgrace to all Jews. Jews remember their history well – they know who persecuted them and who carried out pogroms against them.

Ukraine could have approached Israel's Supreme Court and tried to prove that Bandera was not a Nazi criminal who spilled Jewish blood, but it didn't even bother to do so.

Therefore, as long as Hamas is not officially declared a terrorist organization in Ukraine, as long as the current policy regarding the Gaza Strip continues, and as long as Bandera continues to be crowned a national hero – Ukraine is denied the moral right to express indignation at Israel's position.

To all Jews who feel foreign or threatened in Ukraine – Israel's gates are open for them to return to the land of their forefathers.

Note: Ukraine always claims and declares that its votes at the UN are made according to its sovereign judgment and in accordance with what benefits only Ukraine, and that they serve only Ukraine's national interests, not those of Israel or any other country. However, Israel also votes according to interests that serve only Israel (in this regard, Israel and Ukraine have an identical approach).

Photo: Keystone Press Agency/ Global Look Press