Russian Amb: Lapid ‘creating problems’ in Russia-Israel relations

Russia unhappy with harsh criticisms of its invasion of Ukraine Lapid made as Foreign Minister,

Israel National News21.07.22, 1:58

PM Lapid

Russia’s ambassador to Israel has said in closed talks in the past two weeks that Yair Lapid’s entry into the post of prime minister “creates difficulties” in relations between the two countries, Channel 12 News reported.

The ambassador noted Lapid’s remarks as foreign minister against Russia and the condemnations he issued for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine which he called a “war crime”. Lapid, he claims, even accused the Russians of deliberately harming the civilian population.

While former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett advocated a more balanced approach and served as a mediator between Russia and Ukraine, Lapid adopted a harsher tone towards the Russians from the start.

The Russian Embassy said: “We have noticed some comments and statements from Israeli officials regarding the special Russian military operation in Ukraine. We hope that Israel will take a more nuanced, balanced and considered approach on this issue. In our opinion, this would be in line with the friendly and deep-rooted nature of the Russia-Israel relationship that we have been building together for more than 30 years.”

Content retrieved from: https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/356862.