Overview
- Deputy Director-General for Eurasia Yuval Fuchs summoned Ambassador Yevhen Korniichuk to the Foreign Ministry for a formal reprimand on Dec. 11.
- Korniichuk had criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s remarks to the Knesset about regularly communicating with Vladimir Putin to serve Israel’s vital interests.
- Fuchs told the ambassador his comments were entirely unacceptable and violated diplomatic protocol, according to the ministry’s account.
- The ministry said the ambassador’s remarks disregarded Israel’s stated position on the war in Ukraine, citing Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar’s visit to Kyiv and Israel’s votes at the UN.
- In a statement, the ministry expressed hope the envoy’s future public comments would align with both countries’ goal of strengthening cooperation.