Zelenskyy: Ukraine Recognizes Both Palestine and Israel States, and Will Do Everything to Make Israel End the Conflict

Ukraine recognizes both Palestine and Israel, said President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a conference during the Shangri-La Dialogue and called for an end to the conflict in Gaza.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine is a country that respects international law and the UN charter and recognizes two states — both Israel and Palestine.

“Ukraine said that if Hamas terrorists attacked civilians on the first day of their attack on Israel, then Israel has the right to defend itself,” Zelenskyy said. “And after that, when Israel was in Gaza and there was a humanitarian crisis, Ukraine said: First, we are ready to provide humanitarian aid to Gaza. Secondly, we need to respect the international law.”

He then added that Ukraine is committed to taking every possible measure to urge Israel to cease hostilities and safeguard civilians from further suffering.

“Third, Ukraine recognizes two states, both Israel and Palestine, and will do everything to make Israel stop, to end this conflict, and to prevent civilians from suffering,” stated Zelenskyy.

The President invited both states, Palestine and Israel, to the Ukraine Peace Summit in June.

“We have no double standards. That is why, despite whether someone likes it or not, we invited both Palestine and Israel to the Peace Summit,” the President added.

Ukraine, while still being a part of the USSR, was among the first countries to recognize the State of Palestine on November 19, 1988.