President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky has had a phone conversation with Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu during which they discussed the situation in Donbas, the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and development of an Israeli vaccine for it, as well as intensification of trade cooperation between the countries.
“Opening the conversation, the Israeli Prime Minister welcomed the agreements reached on the establishment of a comprehensive ceasefire on the line of contact in eastern Ukraine and the progress in implementing the Minsk agreements,” the president’s press service said on Friday.
Zelensky informed his interlocutor about the security policy and the humanitarian situation in Donbas. He said that some cases of violation of ceasefire by Russia-occupation forces are recorded on the contact line, but in general the ceasefire continues, “and one of the important agreements reached by the Normandy leaders following the December summit in Paris is being implemented.”
Zelensky congratulated Netanyahu on the important event for regional security – the achievement of agreements on the full normalization of relations between the State of Israel and the United Arab Emirates.
“This is a historic achievement and a clear example of the opportunities for dialog and diplomacy that other countries in the region can follow,” the president said.
Netanyahu said that this was not the first peace agreement signed with the Arab country, and he expressed hope that there would be other peace agreements and that peace would eventually reign in the region.
The parties also discussed the actions taken by the governments of the two countries to combat the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. Zelensky informed the Israeli Prime Minister that a new high in coronavirus disease cases had been recorded in Ukraine in 24 hours and that the adaptive quarantine is in effect in the country.
The president of Ukraine also pointed out the interest of the Ukrainian side in purchasing the Israeli vaccine against coronavirus, which is currently being tested in Israel, for its citizens.
“Ukraine should be among Israel’s friends who will be the first to join the study and use of the vaccine,” Zelensky said.
During the conversation, the parties also discussed enhancing trade cooperation between Ukraine and Israel.
Netanyahu said his government would soon complete ratification of the Israel-Ukraine Free Trade Area Agreement. Zelensky welcomed this long-awaited step.
He also said that the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine is working to grant Passover, Hanukkah and Rosh Hashanah the official status.
Zelensky invited Netanyahu to pay a visit to Ukraine. In response, the head of the Israeli government said that he would be glad to see the head of the Ukrainian state on a visit to Israel.
