‘Europe didn’t back us when we were under fire’: Ministers spar over refugee policy

Lapid says Israel won’t be used as a route for Russia to circumvent sanctions

Foreign Minister Yair Lapid says that Israel will not be used by Russia to circumvent sanctions imposed by the West after Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine and that his ministry was coordinating with officials on the matter.

“Israel will not be a route to bypass sanctions imposed on Russia by the United States and other Western countries,” he says.

“The Foreign Ministry is coordinating the issue together with partners including the Bank of Israel, the Finance Ministry, the Economy Ministry, the Airports Authority, the Energy Ministry and others,” Lapid says.

Lapid makes the comments in Bratislava, speaking alongside his Slovak counterpart Ivan Korčok.

Lapid also highlights Israel’s humanitarian work and diplomatic efforts, repeating his assertation that there is “no justification” for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and its attacks on civilians.

“Israel, like Slovakia, condemns the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and calls for an end to the fighting. There is no justification for violating Ukraine’s territorial integrity, and there is no justification for attacks on a civilian population,” Lapid says.

“Israel will do everything it can to assist mediation efforts, to stop the shooting and restore peace. We are working together with our greatest ally, the United States, and our European friends to prevent the continuation of this tragedy,” he says.

Lapid is on a trip that took him to Romania before Slovakia, both of which border Ukraine, for talks with their leaders on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as well as bilateral relations with Israel.

Israel is coming under increasing pressure over its failure to impose sanctions amid reports of rising numbers of private jets arriving at Ben Gurion Airport from Russia.

US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland said Friday that Israel should get onboard with Western sanctions, and bar Russian oligarchs. “You don’t want to become the last haven for dirty money that’s fueling Putin’s wars,” Nuland said.