Media: Israel did not send a single minister to the Zelensky’s inauguration to avoid annoying Putin
Joel Lyon, Israeli Ambassador to Ukraine was the only representative of the Jewish state at the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky’s inauguration, reports Israeli Channel 9.
Israeli authorities decided not to send ministers or deputy ministers to the ceremony. According to experts, the decision was made on the basis that the possible participation of the Israeli government minister at the Volodymyr Zelensky’s inauguration could complicate relations between Israel and Russia.
Observers believe that Kyiv authorities expected more substantial representation of Israel at the president’s inauguration, and that the Jerusalem’s decision could be perceived in Kyiv as a kind of disregard for the new Ukrainian leader.
The Israeli Prime Minister was among the first to congratulate Volodymyr Zelensky on his victory in the second round of the presidential election.
Most recently, a member of the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, Ze’ev Elkin met with Volodymyr Zelensky to discuss a visit to Israel as well as the transfer of the Ukrainian embassy.