In my posts I repeatedly come across the comments, in which there are attempts to accuse Israel of a lack of assistance to Ukraine at such a powerful potential.

I want to clarify the situation. Over the past two years, Ukraine and Israel became closer than ever before. Sadly, that the reason for this was the war.

Certainly it seems that the rapprochement on the political level is quite slow, but it is only an illusion: formal procedures take too much time. But they are inviolable “once and for all”.

But at the level of “people's diplomacy” everything is moving by leaps and bounds. After the introduction of visa-free regime for Ukrainians, the flow of our citizens, who regularly visit the Jewish state, has grown significantly.

Israel is a unique country. It has ancient roots and at the same time modern Israel consists of a mix of traditions, cultures and stories of people who still continue to inhabit it. So here it is easy to “get a foot in the door”. Therefore, Ukrainians get easily across to Israelis. Especially that we have a common history, common traditions, and now the same situation, when neighbors come to us “with their own charter”.

While politicians are adopting experience of ruling the country, army and defense from the Israeli colleagues, the Israeli clinics accept Ukrainian soldiers for treatment, ordinary Israelis collect money for Ukrainian orphanages, displaced persons, are engaged in the popularization of Ukraine in Israel. For example, right tomorrow the Ethno-Village Ukrainian Festival will be held in Tel Aviv. This festival is organized by people who named their organization Israeli Friends of Ukraine – what can be more eloquent. The musicians from Ukraine are invited to the festival, Ukrainian cuisine and traditions will be presented for Israelis. In addition, the organizers plan to raise funds, which then will be given to Ukrainian orphanages and children who undergo treatment in Israel.

During my visits to Israel I try to bring to Israelis the thought that Ukraine - is a good friend to Israel. Just to refresh – the biggest national community in Israel are Ukrainians. This are more than 500 thousand people, who keep their contacts with Ukrainian family and close ones. Of course they warry about what is going on in our country and want to help.

No matter how propaganda and prejudices separates us, it is impossible to destroy simple human relations and friendship. I’m grateful for our Israeli friends for their constant help and support that Israel provides to Ukraine. From my side, I will put maximum effort to develop bilateral relations even further between our countries.