Israeli parliamentary delegation arrives in Ukraine, coinciding with Biden’s surprise visit

An Israeli parliamentary delegation arrived in Ukraine yesterday.

The delegation, consisting of two Ukrainian-born Israeli lawmakers, arrived at the same time as U.S. President Joe Biden’s surprise visit.

The two Knesset members, Ze’ev Elkin and Yuli Edelstein, met with Ukrainian officials and Jewish community leaders.

Edelstein, of the Likud party, is chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Security Committee.

The two met with Israel’s Ambassador to Ukraine Michael Brodsky, who took them to visit the site of the Bucha massacre, the mass murder of Ukrainian civilians and prisoners of war by Russian Armed Forces in March 2022, shortly after Russia's invasion.

Visiting #Bucha with @YuliEdelstein and @zeev_elkin pic.twitter.com/Fv6muVskoo
— Michael Brodsky (@michael_brodsk) February 20, 2023

Ukraine’s Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov also met with the two Israeli officials to discuss Ukraine’s ongoing battle against the Russian troops and Israel’s support.

Ukrainian Ambassador to Israel Yevgen Korniychuk expressed hope that the visit would further enhance cooperation between Ukraine and Israel.

Early Tuesday morning, the two met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Meeting @ZelenskyyUa together with @YuliEdelstein and @zeev_elkin. Israel and Ukraine will maintain close relations based on common values and mutual interests. @AndriyYermak pic.twitter.com/Z1rIHkXVcc
— Michael Brodsky (@michael_brodsk) February 21, 2023

Ukraine has pressed Israel to increase its support of the country as it seeks to fend off the Russian invasion.

Last week, Zelenskyy compared their situation to the biblical story of David and Goliath, while requesting that Israel send its David’s Sling air defense system to Ukraine.

In his meeting with Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen, Zelenskyy also spoke about their common enemy, Iran.

Iran has been sending drones and other weapons to Russia and the two have a growing military and economic cooperation.