Zelenskyy wants to pay solidarity visit to Israel, urges Western leaders to do so

During his visit to NATO headquarters on Wednesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on Western countries to visit the people of Israel to ensure they are not alone during this time of great tragedy.

“On Israel. I recall the early days of Russia’s full-scale war on Ukraine. This was the worst tragedy, with many people killed. It was critical not to feel alone. Feeling supported can help you save your country, people and life,” Zelenskyy stated.

“This is why I urge all leaders to visit Israel and show their support for the people. I'm not talking about any institutions, but about support for the people who suffered from terrorist attacks and are dying today,” the Ukrainian leader continued.

“It’s very important; unity is more important than being alone. It’s stronger,” he stated, adding that Iran and Russia should not mistakenly believe they can create a third world war.

Zelenskyy was reportedly one of the first leaders to call Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to express his support for the Jewish state.

The Ukrainian president's office officially requested to visit and meet with Netanyahu according to both Ukrainian and Israeli officials who spoke to the Axios news outlet, but no date has been scheduled yet for such a visit.

Zelenskyy made his comments, urging nations to show support by visiting Israel, following his meeting with NATO Sec.-Gen. Jens Stoltenberg.

Unlike most Western leaders who have come out in strong support of Israel, Stoltenberg has not condemned the Hamas attacks on Israel, instead he immediately condemned an unrelated terrorist attack on the Ministry of Interior in Turkey on Oct. 1.

Stoltenberg regularly posts on X, formerly Twitter, about NATO’s solidarity with Ukraine, but regarding the recent Hamas attack, has only said he believes Israel has a right to defend itself, but that it needs to be “proportionate.”

Zelenskyy, in contrast, has been very public in his support for Israel, comparing the Hamas attack on Gaza to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine in early 2022.

“I spoke with Netanyahu to affirm Ukraine’s solidarity with Israel, which suffers from a brazen large-scale attack, and to express condolences for the multiple victims. The Prime Minister informed me of the current situation and the actions of Israel’s Defense Forces and law enforcement to repel the attack. I noted the cooperation between the Israeli police and Ukrainian diplomats with regard to the safety and protection of Ukrainian citizens in Israel. We also discussed the attack’s ramifications for the security situation in the region and beyond,” Zelenskyy posted on X on Sunday.

On Saturday, when news of the Hamas invasion and attack was first reported, Zelenskyy immediately posted to X: “Israel's right to self-defense is unquestionable. All details surrounding this terrorist assault must be revealed so that the world knows and holds accountable everyone who supported and helped carry out the attack.”

On Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has not condemned the heinous Hamas attacks on Israeli civilians, said that the war between Israel and Hamas demonstrated the “failure” of U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East and called for the establishment of a Palestinian state.

Zelenskyy reacted by declaring Moscow a Hamas supporter.  

“We are certain that Russia is supporting – in one way or another – Hamas operations,” Zelenskyy stated.

“The current crisis… bears witness to the fact that Russia really is seeking to carry out destabilizing actions all over the world.”