Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with his Israeli counterpart on Monday to be briefed on recent Israeli talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and discuss efforts to end Moscow’s assault against Ukraine.
Blinken, who is traveling in Europe, met with Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid in Riga, Latvia, and expressed appreciation for Israel’s efforts to mediate between Moscow and Kyiv.
“[We] very much appreciate all of your engagements in the effort to stop this Russian aggression in Ukraine,” the secretary said ahead of the meeting, adding the discussion would include efforts to find a diplomatic solution.
“I look forward to hearing your ideas, hearing about some of the engagements that Israel has had, but we appreciate all efforts by friends and allies to look for a diplomatic resolution.”
Blinken and Lapid were also expected to talk about U.S. efforts to revive the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, which Israel opposes and is under pressure amid Russia’s assault on Ukraine. Moscow is one of the participants to the nuclear deal and is a key facilitator of months-long talks to revive the agreement that are taking place in Vienna.
