- December 9, 2025
- 9:15 pm
- Middle East
An Interview That Revealed the Mechanics of Middle Eastern Diplomacy
The interview, published on December 8, 2025 in the Ukrainian publication ua-news, became one of the few where the Ukrainian ambassador to Israel, Yevhen Korniychuk, openly discussed how Middle Eastern diplomacy works in practice and why a number of decisions — from reducing representation in Ramallah to attempts to open a branch of the Ukrainian embassy in Jerusalem — are linked to the behavior of third parties, not just bilateral relations between Ukraine and Israel.
Korniychuk immediately notes that Middle Eastern diplomacy is “non-linear.” He recalls how at the beginning of his mission — before the war on October 7, 2023 — cooperation between Ukraine and Israel was developing noticeably faster. Then the situation changed: local elites, according to the ambassador, expect direct steps in response.
How the Ambassador “Moved” Issues Forward
He provides a specific example: when Israel did not want to transfer protective helmets to Ukraine, explaining that they could be “used as weapons,” the ambassador called journalists, put on a helmet, and said:
“Show me how this can kill? It’s protection for the military!”
After that, the issue moved forward: the photo spread in the local media.
The Story of the “Shahed” Fragment and Israel’s Reaction
The transfer of a fragment of a downed “Shahed” to Netanyahu occurred shortly after the new government came to power. Korniychuk handed it over through the head of Israel’s Security Council with the words:
“If we do not cooperate and find ways to counter this threat, it will come to you too.”
About a year and a half later, a similar UAV struck a training center 60 km from Tel Aviv, injuring soldiers. Later, a journalist from Channel 12 told the ambassador:
“You are our Moses. Why didn’t our government listen to you?”
How the War on October 7 Changed Cooperation
After the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, Israel temporarily froze air defense exports: its own needs sharply increased.
Korniychuk provides data:
— in two weeks, about 550 ballistic missiles were fired at Israel,
— in Ukraine from February 2022 to June 2025 — approximately 850.
He notes that the accuracy of Iranian missiles has increased, partly due to Russian assistance. “It’s not easy here,” he concludes.
Why Ukraine Reduced Its Representation in Ramallah
Korniychuk explains this with the situation from last year. In 2024, Ukraine sent 8,000 tons of grain to Gaza through the UN.
There was no response. No gratitude either.
The day after the delivery, a Hamas delegation flew to Moscow.
After this, Kyiv reduced its representation in Ramallah to one diplomat.
Negotiations on School Systems for Bomb Shelters
Despite the difficulties, non-military cooperation continues.
Ukraine is negotiating to obtain the education system used in Haifa — a city regularly shelled by rockets from Lebanon.
Such systems are planned to be installed in underground schools in Zaporizhzhia and Kharkiv.
The Story of the Ukrainian Embassy Branch in Jerusalem
Korniychuk reminds that work on this began at the end of 2021, after a statement by Volodymyr Zelensky at a meeting with Benjamin Netanyahu.
The premises were found, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs approved, but implementation was postponed.
Israel, in turn, was supposed to open an innovation and investment department — but this step is also frozen.
Ukrainian Cultural Center in Tel Aviv
The center was opened after the start of the full-scale war, during a visit by Olena Zelenska.
Sponsors paid for the renovation.
In the first months of the war, the ambassador gathered 15–18 TV cameras here weekly, explaining the situation in Ukraine to the Israeli press.
The center became the core of community unification:
— the Federation of Pro-Ukrainian Organizations of Israel was created (more than 30 structures),
— a film club operates,
— concerts are held in support of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Holodomor Monument and Plan to Establish a Shevchenko Square
On December 3, a Holodomor monument was unveiled in Jerusalem.
It took three years of work.
The monument was paid for by Canadian James Temertey.
Now the ambassador proposes naming one of Tel Aviv’s squares after Taras Shevchenko. The city fund offered three options, but with the condition of landscaping at Ukraine’s expense.
Korniychuk notes: in Kyiv, there are dozens of streets named after prominent Jews — and such conditions seem strange.
Ukraine, in response, is ready to consider the idea of a street in memory of the victims of October 7, 2023, but only after the appearance of Shevchenko Street without additional requirements.
Conclusion
Korniychuk emphasizes: “Our peoples have much in common, but Middle Eastern diplomacy is a complex science.”
The interview shows how Kyiv’s decisions are linked to regional dynamics, Iran’s influence, Russia’s actions, and the logic of Israeli politics. The material reveals this context and explains why Ukraine acts in this way.
All this becomes part of a broader conversation about the future of Ukrainian-Israeli relations, which is also covered by NANews — News of Israel | Nikk.Agency.
