The war in Ukraine presents a complicated picture, with no imminent military decision apparent. Negotiations between Russia and Ukraine are expected to continue, amid growing protests across Russia and Western sanctions weighing heavily on the Russian economy. Meanwhile, Bennett's surprise visit to Moscow took place last Saturday. It is important to assess the significance of the visit and Israel's ability to play an important role in the negotiations between Russia and Ukraine.
On the 12th day of the war in Ukraine, the political picture shows most Western leaders united against Putin in the imposition of heavy sanctions on the Russian economy and Putin's associates. The only Western leader who is not affiliated with the united Western camp is Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett. Therefore, for Putin, Bennett is an eligible mediator between Russia and Ukraine; this is a convenient and possible option.
Negotiations between Russia and Ukraine have been underway for the past week at Russia's initiative. The Russians aim to reach an understanding and an arrangement, inter alia, because the military campaign continues but it does not benefit Russia. Russia's main goal with the start of the military campaign in Ukraine was to bring about a change of government in Kiev in a short time and to continue the political campaign against the West. Once the Russians failed to achieve this goal, the possibility of political negotiations arose. Still, although agreements might be reached in the negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, including the agreement of the Ukrainians not to join NATO in the coming years, the political campaign vis-à-vis the West will not end at this point. Putin will also demand from the West to withdraw NATO forces from Eastern Europe and ease sanctions.
Finally, separate from Bennett's visit to Moscow, the nuclear talks in Vienna, underway against the background of the war in Ukraine, must also be considered. A nuclear deal that frees the Iranian oil market could undermine the Russian economy, which at this stage of sanctions relies mainly on oil and gas. Rising oil prices in the world allow room for maneuver for the Russians in the political campaign. This aspect also has importance in Israel's attempts to influence the agreement that will presumably eventually be reached.
The war in Ukraine presents a complicated picture, with no imminent military decision apparent. Negotiations between Russia and Ukraine are expected to continue, amid growing protests across Russia and Western sanctions weighing heavily on the Russian economy. Meanwhile, Bennett's surprise visit to Moscow took place last Saturday. It is important to assess the significance of the visit and Israel's ability to play an important role in the negotiations between Russia and Ukraine.
On the 12th day of the war in Ukraine, the political picture shows most Western leaders united against Putin in the imposition of heavy sanctions on the Russian economy and Putin's associates. The only Western leader who is not affiliated with the united Western camp is Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett. Therefore, for Putin, Bennett is an eligible mediator between Russia and Ukraine; this is a convenient and possible option.
Negotiations between Russia and Ukraine have been underway for the past week at Russia's initiative. The Russians aim to reach an understanding and an arrangement, inter alia, because the military campaign continues but it does not benefit Russia. Russia's main goal with the start of the military campaign in Ukraine was to bring about a change of government in Kiev in a short time and to continue the political campaign against the West. Once the Russians failed to achieve this goal, the possibility of political negotiations arose. Still, although agreements might be reached in the negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, including the agreement of the Ukrainians not to join NATO in the coming years, the political campaign vis-à-vis the West will not end at this point. Putin will also demand from the West to withdraw NATO forces from Eastern Europe and ease sanctions.
Finally, separate from Bennett's visit to Moscow, the nuclear talks in Vienna, underway against the background of the war in Ukraine, must also be considered. A nuclear deal that frees the Iranian oil market could undermine the Russian economy, which at this stage of sanctions relies mainly on oil and gas. Rising oil prices in the world allow room for maneuver for the Russians in the political campaign. This aspect also has importance in Israel's attempts to influence the agreement that will presumably eventually be reached.