Ukraine, Israel ‘fighting against same axis of evil,’ Ukrainian ambassador tells ‘Post’ - interview

Ukrainian Ambassador to Israel Yevgen Korniychuk drew parallels between Ukraine's struggle against Russia and Israel's fight against its enemies, describing both as existential battles against a common "axis of evil." Speaking ahead of Ukraine's 35th Independence Day, Korniychuk emphasized that both nations are targeted by Iranian-made drones, fostering a sense of shared struggle.

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Independence means something very special for Ukrainian people. It means that about a million of our soldiers and the people working for law enforcement are willing to give their lives for the independence of the country.

Korniychuk invoked the words of former Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir, stating, "If the Arabs put down their weapons today, there would be no more violence. If the Jews put down their weapons today, there would be no more Israel." He applied this sentiment to Ukraine's situation, asserting, "If we stop resisting the Russian forces, there’s going to be no country, and there are going to be no independence days anymore."

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If the Arabs put down their weapons today, there would be no more violence. If the Jews put down their weapons today, there would be no more Israel.

The ambassador highlighted a significant shift in the conflict, noting that Ukraine is now capable of striking deep into Russian territory, including oil refineries. He reported that approximately 40% of these refineries have been damaged, leading to fuel shortages across Russia. While Ukraine claims to target only military infrastructure, Korniychuk contrasted this with Russian attacks on civilian targets, citing a recent barrage that killed at least 12 people in Kyiv.

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This is exactly the same for our situation. If we stop resisting the Russian forces, there’s going to be no country, and there are going to be no independence days anymore.

Despite ongoing challenges, including a shortage of anti-aircraft systems, Ukraine has made strides in developing its own military capabilities. Korniychuk mentioned the successful production of cruise missiles and ongoing work on ballistic missiles, underscoring the nation's resilience and determination to defend its independence.

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We have been feeling more and more like we’ve been fighting against the same axis of evil. You guys are against Iran, and we are against Russia. We’ve been shot by the same Iranian-made drones that are currently being improved substantially by the Russians.