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Akbar Novruz

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Israel has assured Russia that it is not supplying weapons to Ukraine and intends to maintain direct political contacts with Moscow, according to a senior Russian diplomat.

Alexander Kinshchak, head of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s Department for Relations with the Middle East and North Africa, told Interfax that Russian officials had discussed reports of alleged Israeli arms deliveries to Ukraine with their Israeli counterparts through various channels.

According to Kinshchak, Israel has denied the reports and reaffirmed its existing position of refraining from military supplies to Kyiv.

“We have discussed such reports with our Israeli colleagues through various channels and have been assured that they do not correspond to reality,” Kinshchak said, adding that Israel continues to adhere to its “stated position on this sensitive issue.”

The Russian diplomat also highlighted what he described as the special character of Russian-Israeli relations, citing longstanding historical and cultural ties between the two countries. More than one million Russian-speaking people live in Israel, he noted.

Kinshchak further pointed out that Israel has not officially joined Western sanctions against Russia, despite pressure from its Western partners.

Political contacts between Moscow and Tel Aviv have also remained active. According to Kinshchak, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held six telephone conversations in 2025 and two more in 2026.

While Israel has maintained political and security contacts with Kyiv, Moscow says it has received assurances that Israel is not providing military assistance to Ukrainian forces.