Israel Won’t Recognize Russian Referendum on Annexing Parts of Ukraine

Israel’s Foreign Ministry announced that it will not recognize the results of a referendum in four Ukrainian territories held by Russia as a result of its invasion over seven months ago. “Israel recognizes the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and will not recognizes the results of referendums in the eastern districts of Ukraine,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement. The regions, which border on Russia, are Kherson, Luhansk, Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia.

Israel has sent planeloads of humanitarian aid to Ukraine, but has refrained from sending military aid in an effort to not alienate Russia, which supports the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad and maintains a presence in Israel’s neighbor to the north. Israel’s statement is a rare criticism of Russia, and does not appear to have been made as a request by the US or other major world power.

Meanwhile, two Ukrainian soldiers severely injured in the fight against Russia arrived in Israel on Sunday, with another 18 expected to arrive over the next two weeks, according to reports.