Feeling Forgotten, Ukraine’s President Ponders Israel Trip As Ukrainian Death Toll Mounts
By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
JERUSALEM/KYIV/BUDAPEST (Worthy News) – The president of war-torn Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, tries to visit Israel as he competes for attention amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war at a time of scandal over the killing of more than 20 Ukrainian soldiers by a Russin air strike.
In comments published Sunday, he noticed that the Israel-Hamas war is “taking away the focus” from the conflict in Ukraine, adding this was “one of the goals” of Russia, which invaded Ukraine in February last year.
The president denied his military’s counteroffensive had reached a stalemate, despite Ukraine’s westernmost Transcarpathia region declaring three days of mourning after many of its soldiers were killed.
Ukrainian media and Russian military bloggers said more than 20 Ukrainian soldiers from the area were killed at an award ceremony near Ukraine’s southern frontlines in Zaporizhzhia commemorating the Artillery Day on Friday.
“Servicemen were killed, and residents were also injured,” the military confirmed without mentioning exact figures. The tragedy was also closely monitored in neighboring Hungary, where the government has expressed concern about minority ethnic Hungarians from Transcarpathia serving in the army, with several casualties being reported.
Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov confirmed media reports that Ukrainian soldiers from the 128th Mountain Assault Brigade “Zakarpattia (Transcarpathia)” were killed in the reported Russian attack.
On Sunday, Ukrainian lawmaker Mykhailo Volynets claimed 28 people were killed and 53 injured in the attack, but these figures were not immediately officially confirmed.
BALLISTIC MISSILE
Ukraine’s Strategic Command (StratCom) said an Iskander-M – Russia’s short-range ballistic missile – was used in the attack, but Moscow did not confirm or deny the strike.
President Zelensky said the incident “could have been avoided.” He added that “Criminal proceedings have been initiated,” apparently against military chiefs.
Critics say Ukrainian officers should have been aware that Russian drones are constantly monitoring Ukrainian troops’ activities near the frontlines to guide air and artillery strikes.
Yet the setbacks underscored Western concerns about Ukraine’s difficulties to make more progress in Europe’s bloodiest conflict since World War Two.
In rare comments, Ukraine’s General Valery Zaluzhny recently admitted that Ukraine and Russia have reached a stalemate.
He reportedly added: “Just like in the First World War, we have reached the level of technology that puts us into a stalemate.”
Zelensky on Sunday called on the United States to provide more funding to help his forces counter Russia and invited former president Donald J. Trump to fly in to see the scale of the conflict for himself.
AMERICAN SOLDIERS
Zelensky said American soldiers could eventually be pulled into a greater European conflict with Russia if Washington did not step up support. “If Russia will kill all of us, they will attack NATO countries, and you will send your sons and daughters [to fight],” Zelensky told NBC broadcaster’s ‘Meet the Press‘ on Sunday.
Yet, with world attention more focused on the Israel-Hamas war, there seems less appetite to continue funding Ukraine’s military efforts with growing calls for peace talks. However, by planning to visit Israel, home to many Jews from the former Soviet Union, including Ukraine, Zelensky hopes to both regain the spotlight and strengthen relations with Israel.
He has admitted, however, that it is “difficult” to visit Israel, saying it depends on “what’s happening on the battlefield” in Ukraine, which he said remains “hot.”
Israeli media reported that a planned visit in the coming days was also in question after information on the trip was leaked to the press.
Zelensky reportedly offered to visit for two weeks, but Israel deemed it premature due to the ongoing war, which was still in its early stages, despite receiving leaders from other countries. He reportedly wanted to make the trip alongside U.S. State Secretary Antony Blinken, who arrived in Israel on October 16 and met Israeli leaders again Friday.
On Sunday, Blinken continued rushing to support Middle East leaders facing domestic turmoil over the Israel-Hamas conflict, making two surprise trips to the West Bank and Iraq. In the West Bank, he met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas as part of an intensifying Biden administration drive to sketch out a post-conflict scenario for the territory.
Blinken later flew to Baghdad for talks with Iraqi Prime Mohammed Shia al-Sudani as American forces in the region faced a surge of attacks by Iranian-allied militias in Iraq and elsewhere.
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