Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman. Photo: Twitter.

JNS.org – A top diplomatic official in Kiev reported that Israel’s ambassador to Ukraine was summoned for a “reprimand discussion,” following Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s cancellation of a meeting with Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman, Israel Hayom reported on Tuesday.

According to the anonymous official, Ambassador Eli Belotserkovsky was brought in to clarify Netanyahu’s decision to call off Groysman’s visit to Israel, after Ukraine voted in favor of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2334, which stated that Israeli settlements anywhere beyond the 1967 borders, including in east Jerusalem, are illegal.

The official said that Ukraine was “surprised by the emotional response of officials and politicians in Israel. Ukraine understands Israel’s position, but this is about Ukraine’s stance regarding the Middle East.” He said the Ukrainians hope the meeting between Netanyahu and Belotserkovsky will lead to “strengthening [Israel-Ukraine] ties and lowering the flames.”

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that it spoke with Belotserkovsky “about future visits [to Israel] at higher levels. In other words, the cancellation of Prime Minister Groysman’s visit is temporary, and it’s possible that such a visit will take place at a later stage in the coming year.”

Belotserkovsky also discussed “the free trade agreement between the countries…the deal to bring foreign workers to Israel and further eased [restrictions] in the field of aviation,” according to the foreign ministry.