The address of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the Knesset makes headlines even before it is delivered. Zelenskyy is set to address Knesset members and government ministers via Zoom March 20 at 6 p.m. local time. The legislators and ministers will not be allowed to ask Zelenskyy questions or respond to his address, even if they speak Ukrainian or Russian. Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid decided March 16 they will both attend the video speech, partly because they fear not many lawmakers will attend it. Reportedly, since the Knesset is on recess since March 11, many of its members went on holiday abroad and might not connect to the Zoom call.

On March 16, Zelenskyy addressed the US Congress, also via videoconferencing.

Russia’s Ambassador to Israel Anatoly Viktorov expressed dissatisfaction March 16 over Knesset Speaker Mickey Levy’s decision to facilitate Zelenskyy’s address to Israeli parliamentarians. Reportedly, Viktorov did not request from Levy to cancel the speech, but did offer him to have members of the Russian parliament brief Knesset members about Moscow’s positions on the war. It is unclear if Levy accepted the offer.

The Financial Times reported March 16 that Bennett was the lead mediator between Russia and Ukraine. Citing three officials familiar with the matter, the newspaper said talks that were mediated by Bennett led to the first draft of the cease-fire agreement that is currently being discussed.