- June 10, 2025
- 10:02 pm
- Israel
For the first time since the beginning of the full-scale war in Ukraine and for the first time in many years, Israel is hosting an official delegation from the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. The visit is taking place from June 9 to 11, 2025 and has already been called by experts a significant step in the development of relations between the two countries.
Who arrived: composition of the Ukrainian delegation
This was reported on June 10, 2025 by journalist Shimon Briman, an expert in Israeli-Ukrainian relations. The visit is scheduled for June 9–11.
The delegation consists of seven members of the Verkhovna Rada, led by Olha Vasylevska-Smahliuk, a member of the Servant of the People faction and head of the Ukraine–Israel parliamentary group. She is the only member of the current parliament who speaks Hebrew fluently and actively supports Ukrainian-Israeli initiatives.
The group was established in the Verkhovna Rada on November 18, 2019, and is responsible for fostering interparliamentary relations, organizing official visits, and exchanging experience with the Knesset of Israel.
Key meetings: Knesset, MFA, Nativ
On June 9, Ukrainian MPs met with:
- Amir Ohana, Speaker of the Knesset;
- Yuli Edelstein, Chair of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee and co-chair of the Israel–Ukraine group;
- Ze’ev Elkin, Knesset member and co-chair of the Israel–Ukraine group;
- Yuval Fuchs, Deputy Director General of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs;
- Asher Salmon, Head of the International Cooperation Department of the MFA;
- Alon Shoham, Head of the Nativ liaison bureau.
Edelstein and Elkin co-chair the Israel–Ukraine parliamentary friendship group in the Knesset.
All meetings focused on strengthening diplomatic and parliamentary dialogue between the countries, with strategic topics on the agenda.
Discussion topics: sanctions, money laundering, terrorism
Special attention was paid to:
- Combating money laundering — a relevant issue for both countries.
- Sanctions against Russia — coordination of international measures was discussed.
- Civil defense and counter-terrorism — the exchange of experience is especially important in the context of the Hamas attacks and ongoing Russian strikes on Ukrainian cities.
Continuing the visit: medicine, military, and southern Israel
On June 10, the Ukrainian delegation visited the Sheba Medical Center and the IDF Home Front Command.
On June 11, the delegation headed to kibbutzim and towns in southern Israel affected by the Hamas terrorist attack on October 7, 2023. This visit is more than symbolic — among the Ukrainian parliamentarians are those who witnessed Russian atrocities in Bucha and Borodianka and deeply understand what the residents of the Negev have gone through.
“What they see will be especially understandable to the Ukrainian MPs, as Vasylevska-Smahliuk’s constituency in northern Kyiv region also suffered horrors of Russian occupation in 2022: hundreds of civilians killed, homes destroyed, and widespread suffering,” — noted Shimon Briman.
Parallels between wars: a shared experience
Hamas and Putin’s Russia are two sources of terror that both Israel and Ukraine are confronting. Iranian “Shahed” drones attacking Ukrainian cities and threatening Israel are part of the same destructive system. In such times, direct contact between governments and parliaments is more important than ever.
Key dates and participants
| Date | Event | Participants |
|---|---|---|
| June 9 | Meeting at the Knesset | Ohana, Edelstein, Elkin |
| June 9 | Meetings at MFA and Nativ | Fuchs, Salmon, Shoham |
| June 10 | Visit to Sheba & Home Front Command | Ukrainian Delegation |
| June 11 | Visit to southern towns affected by Hamas | Ukrainian Delegation |
Final thoughts: a new chapter begins
This visit is not just a diplomatic gesture. It is a step toward closer ties between Israel and Ukraine, deeper cooperation, and mutual understanding. And it is only the beginning.
NAnews – Israel News will continue covering the visit and its outcomes. For the first time in years, and the first time since Russia’s full-scale aggression, Ukrainian and Israeli parliamentarians are meeting eye to eye — as allies, partners, and friends.
