Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy separately on Monday as the Israeli leader’s mediation efforts continued.
Bennett spoke with Putin for about an hour-and-a-half with the two men discussing efforts to reach a ceasefire in Ukraine, as well as allowing access to Israeli humanitarian aid, reported Reuters.
A separate statement from the Kremlin said Putin shared his assessment of the negotiation process with Ukraine.
On Twitter, Zelenskyy said that in talks with Bennett, along with the leaders of Poland and Luxembourg, they “exchanged information on our joint steps and steps of our partners against the background of Russian aggression. Agreed on further actions.”
Zelenskyy’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, praised Bennett’s mediation efforts. He wrote on Facebook: “Israel has taken on a complex but noble mission of an intermediary seeking peace and the end of Russian aggression against Ukraine.”
Bennett has held several calls with both leaders as part of an attempt to help mediate a solution to the war. He has also offered to hold a peace summit in Jerusalem.
On Monday, Israel also announced that it will build a NIS 21 million ($6.4 million) field hospital in Western Ukraine to help treat refugees, which will be funded by the Prime Minister’s Office, the Foreign Ministry and the Health Ministry, with assistance from the Schusterman Family Philanthropies.
