As Iran and Ukraine wars converge, Israel and Ukraine may come together

The conflicts in Iran and Ukraine are increasingly intertwined, a convergence highlighted by the recent presence of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington. Both leaders held separate meetings with US President Donald Trump, and a brief, public encounter between Zelensky and Netanyahu occurred during the funeral of US Senator Lindsey Graham. While not conducive to deep diplomacy, this proximity could signal a future opening for closer ties.

Historically, Israel has approached relations with Ukraine cautiously. This stance was partly influenced by the need for deconfliction with Russia in Syria, where Russia's military intervention in 2015 complicated Israel's operations against Iranian entrenchment. During the initial years of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Jerusalem hedged its position, mirroring the cautious approach of other US partners like Saudi Arabia and India, and expressing skepticism about US policy under the Biden administration.

However, the geopolitical landscape has shifted significantly. Iran's consistent support for Russia, including exporting drones, and Russia's reciprocal backing of Iran's nuclear technology and diplomatic efforts, have created common adversaries for both Israel and Ukraine. Russia and Iran's support for the Syrian regime and the subsequent strengthening of Hezbollah further underscore shared threats. Despite these clear common enemies, relations between Israel and Ukraine remained notably cold, even into 2023 and 2024, with a controversy in April 2026 over a ship allegedly carrying stolen Ukrainian grain bound for Israel.

Recent developments suggest a potential thaw. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar recently posted about a call with his Ukrainian counterpart, Andrii Sybiha. "We discussed the challenges facing our nations, including the threat posed by Iran," Sa’ar noted, expressing sorrow over Ukraine's losses. This dialogue indicates a possible shift towards greater cooperation in confronting shared threats, moving beyond the previous hesitancy.

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We discussed the challenges facing our nations, including the threat posed by Iran. I expressed my deep sorrow over the heavy losses suffered by th