- July 23, 2025
- 1:48 pm
- Ukraine
Saar, together with his Ukrainian colleague Sybiha, laid flowers at the Wall of Memory of Fallen Soldiers of Ukraine and also visited the Holodomor Memorial.
Gideon Saar in Kyiv: Condemnation of Russia, Meeting with Ukraine’s Jewish Community, and a New Level of Alliance
On July 22-23, 2025, Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar visited Kyiv. His statement “We condemn Russia’s attacks on civilians” caused a wide public response.
Some Israeli media hastened to call these words the “first” public condemnation of Russia by the Israeli Foreign Minister. However, we at NAnews — News of Israel remind that on February 24, 2022, Yair Lapid, who then served as Minister of Foreign Affairs, condemned Russia’s attack on Ukraine, calling it a “serious violation of the international order” and emphasizing that Israel was ready to provide humanitarian aid to Ukrainians.
Nevertheless, Saar’s current statement is the first strong signal from the incumbent minister after a long period of restrained diplomacy. His words, spoken in Kyiv, show that Jerusalem is ready to call things by their name and openly talk about crimes against civilians.
“Ukraine has been in a state of heavy war with Russia for over three years, which has taken many human lives. I understand how difficult the past weeks have been for you. The country has suffered heavy strikes, many civilians have been killed and injured. Therefore, it was especially important for me to come to Kyiv right now. My heart is with the families of the victims, my prayers are with the wounded. In Israel, we know what it means to be under bombardment — with children, with families.
Israel strongly condemns Russia’s attacks on the civilian population. We call for a just and lasting peace that will ensure Ukraine’s security”, – said Saar at a joint press conference with Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha.
Talks with Ukraine’s MFA and Shahed‑136 Drones
On July 23, Saar held extended talks with Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha. Sybiha emphasized that Ukraine and Israel will deepen cooperation in the fields of energy, cybersecurity, and defense, as well as continue joint projects in medicine and the agricultural sector.
The foreign ministers held detailed discussions on a wide range of issues, including security, humanitarian and economic cooperation, development of innovation, and joint projects.
“Our trade turnover has increased by 65% and has reached almost 1 billion dollars. This progress must be consolidated,” said Sybiha.
“Ukraine and Israel have significant potential in the field of defense technologies. It is time to realize it jointly for the safety and stability of our states,” the Ukrainian minister noted.
He proposed to resume political consultations between the two foreign ministries for the first time since 2022, which will become an additional channel for strategic dialogue.
Andriy Sybiha expressed deep gratitude to Israel for humanitarian aid, particularly for a water supply project in the southern regions of Ukraine. The Ukrainian minister also handed his colleague a non-paper on Ukraine’s need for modular shelters to protect civilians.
During the talks, the ministers agreed to launch a strategic dialogue between Ukraine and Israel regarding the Iranian threat. According to Andriy Sybiha, today both countries face common security challenges. Against this backdrop, the foreign ministers agreed to intensify multilateral and bilateral cooperation.
“Iran and Russia pose an existential threat not only to our countries but also to global security. Iran continues to destabilize the region, developing a nuclear program and supplying weapons to terrorist groups,” he stressed.
The Ukrainian minister emphasized that Moscow, Tehran, and Pyongyang have united into a single group of criminal regimes that support each other and threaten the entire free world.
“I thank President Zelensky and the government of Ukraine for their firm stance on preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. I am grateful for the sanctions against Iranian officials and for supporting our joint efforts with the US against the Iranian nuclear threat” – said the head of Israel’s MFA.
A symbolic moment of the talks was the Iranian drone Shahed‑136 displayed at the entrance to Ukraine’s MFA. This drone reminded all participants of the meeting that the threats to Ukraine and Israel are closely linked: these are the same drones Russia uses to attack Ukrainian cities, while Iran remains the primary source of this weapon.
Saar emphasized that cooperation in countering Iran will be strengthened.
Archival Documents of the UNR and Historical Ties
One of the key cultural highlights of the visit was the presentation of archival diplomatic documents from the period of the Ukrainian People’s Republic.
The guests from Israel were shown unique materials, including orders for the creation of the first Jewish infantry battalion in Odesa in January-March 1918. This unit took part in liberation struggles and maintained order in Odesa during the times of the Central Rada.
Presenting the exhibition to his Israeli colleagues, Andriy Sybiha emphasized that these documents testify to the close diplomatic and human ties between Ukraine and Israel.
This part of the visit aroused particular interest among the Israeli delegation, reminding them that the friendship between the two nations is unbreakable and dates back to the past.
Meeting with the Jewish Community and Rabbi Asman
Saar held a meeting with the Jewish community of Kyiv, which became an important spiritual event of the visit.
“During every official visit, I meet with the local Jewish community. This is of great importance. We are one people. We must stand together.The Jewish community in Ukraine is strong and diverse.
The purpose of my visit to Kyiv is to strengthen relations between Israel and Ukraine. But it is also important to strengthen this connection between us“, – he wrote.
The Chief Rabbi of Ukraine Moshe Reuven Asman expressed gratitude to Israel for its support:
«At the meeting with representatives of the Jewish community of Ukraine, I delivered a speech in which I thanked the State of Israel for supporting Ukraine and for weakening our common enemies that are part of the axis of evil threatening both Ukraine and Israel.
I reminded the minister that his roots are from Ukraine, as his grandmother was born here. As a sign of respect, I presented him with a book about Jewish holy burial places of righteous men in Ukraine
I blessed Mr. Saar for great success in his official meetings in Ukraine. I hope that this visit will bring relations between Israel and Ukraine to a new level.», – said Asman.
Asman gave Saar a book about the holy places of the righteous and reminded him of his Ukrainian roots. These meetings strengthen the spiritual connection between Ukrainian Jews and Israel and show that even in the most difficult times, the community feels supported.
Story of Artem Buryk
Another highlight of the visit was Saar’s meeting with Artem Buryk, a Ukrainian soldier who lost his family as a result of an Iranian missile strike on Bat Yam. His daughter Nastya was in Israel receiving cancer treatment when the tragedy claimed the lives of several family members.
Saar said:
“With deep sorrow, I met in Kyiv with Artem Buryk, who lost his family due to an Iranian missile strike on Bat Yam during the ‘Nation Like a Lion’ operation.”
As a result of the Iranian attack, Artem lost his 7-year-old daughter Nastya, who had come to Israel for cancer treatment, his wife Maria, and three other family members.I expressed my condolences to him regarding this heavy and tragic loss. I told Artem that the entire people of Israel share his pain. Artem, who serves in the Ukrainian army, also told me about his service on the front line.May their memory be blessed.”
This story has become a symbol that war and terror know no borders and affect the lives of people both in Ukraine and Israel.
Symbolic Steps and Remembrance
Gideon Saar laid flowers at the Wall of Memory of Fallen Soldiers of Ukraine and visited the Holodomor Memorial:
The Ukrainian Foreign Minister also reported that the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine upgraded the historical monument status of Rabbi Nachman’s grave in Uman from a local landmark to a national heritage site.
Gideon Saar also thanked the Ukrainian authorities for upgrading the status of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov’s grave to a site of national cultural significance.
He emphasized:
“I also thank you for recognizing Rabbi Nachman of Breslov’s grave in Uman as a national cultural heritage site of Ukraine. Both Ukraine and Israel are going through difficult times, but our states are strong, and the friendship between us is strong. We will continue to strengthen and support each other.”
Position of NAnews — News of Israel
During his official visit to Kyiv on July 22-23, 2025, Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar made one of the clearest statements since the beginning of the full-scale war in Ukraine. Finally, an official representative of Israel from the coalition openly condemned Russian aggression and missile attacks on peaceful Ukrainian cities.
We at NAnews — News of Israel see Saar’s visit as a turning point. Israel is increasingly clarifying its position, strengthening dialogue with Ukraine, and developing strategic cooperation. Joint projects in cybersecurity, energy, and defense are not just diplomatic words but real steps toward common security.
This visit became the highest-level visit of Israel’s Foreign Minister to Ukraine since February 2023 and, in our opinion, signals closer relations. This is encouraging!
