Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz discussed with his Ukrainian counterpart Oleksii Reznikov an Israeli proposal to provide Kiev with an early warning system of approaching air threats.

The Israeli Defense Ministry described the conversation as "positive."

The ministers spoke by phone after Ukrainian Ambassador to Israel Yevgeny Korniychuk told the Hebrew-language media last week that Gantz unexpectedly canceled the long-awaited conversation with Reznikov, causing "disappointment" in Kiev.

Gantz's office said that Reznikov informed him of the latest developments on the battlefield in Ukraine. Gantz "expressed his condolences for the tragic loss of life and his concern about the humanitarian crisis resulting from the war."

The minister reiterated Israel's commitment to the Ukrainian people and support for Ukraine through the delivery of humanitarian aid and rescue equipment, and stressed the "operational constraints" Israel faces due to Russia's presence in Syria.  "As a result, Israel will not supply weapons systems to Ukraine," Gantz Resnikov said.

The two sides agreed to have a professional dialogue on a civilian early warning system.  Gantz and Reznikov agreed to keep an open line of communication in the coming weeks to discuss additional agenda items.

Israel has a strict policy of not providing military assistance to Ukraine. The reason for this decision appears to be Israel's strategic need to maintain freedom of operations. This requires cooperation with the Russian military, which largely controls Syrian airspace, the Times of Israel wrote.