Israel Improves Its Ties with a Beleaguered Ukraine https://mosaicmagazine.com/picks/israel-zionism/2015/06/israel-improves-its-ties-with-a-beleaguered-ukraine/

June 8, 2015 | David Daoud
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Despite the burdens of history—and Israel’s desire to maintain good relations with Moscow—the Jewish state is fostering better economic and military ties with Ukraine. David Daoud writes:

Israel has been sending military aid to Ukraine, much to the chagrin of neighboring Russia. Israel reportedly began exploring the expansion of arms trade with Ukraine after Moscow lifted a ban on the sale of the advanced S-300 missile-defense system to Iran, a move it has long opposed. Israel has also offered to assist Kiev diplomatically in its conflict with Moscow over Crimea, which Russia invaded and then annexed in 2014.

Trade between Israel and Ukraine now totals $1.3 billion dollars, and includes cooperation in the hi-tech sector, where Israel is a world-leader. . . .

“The people of Israel understand what it means to fight for their own state,” said Oleg Vishnikov, a Ukrainian businessman who was given the title of Israel’s honorary consul [in the city of Lviv]. “The people of Israel are experts at security, and I want this expertise to be shared with Ukraine.”

Read more on Algemeiner: http://www.algemeiner.com/2015/06/01/despite-its-antisemitic-past-ukraine-is-warming-relations-with-israel/