Ukraine's ambassador to Israel, Yevgen Korniychuk, expressed frustration today over Jerusalem’s alleged refusal to approve the transfer of the Spike SR anti-tank guided missile system from Germany to Ukraine.

Addressing a press conference, Korniychuk said, "Last week, from what I know for sure, the Americans gave permission for the anti-tank missiles to be transferred from Germany to Ukraine and Israel said no."

The Spike SR system is produced in Germany in an Israeli-owned factory, with Israeli technology. The terms of the license require Israel to greenlight any transfer of the systems. The fifth generation of this system was sold to several European NATO members. It can reportedly destroy long-range targets with pinpoint precision.

At the press conference, the ambassador accused Israel of paying lip service to the defense of Ukrainians without offering concrete aid for their protection, stating, "While Russia slaughters our citizens, the Israeli government remains in its 'comfort zone' and refrains from providing Ukraine with minimal defensive assistance. We ask Israel for a defensive in the form of an 'Iron Dome' and similar defensive tools. As Israel protects the residents of the Gaza Strip from Hamas fire, we must protect our citizens — women, children and men. The residents of Israel show love and sympathy for us. The government also shows empathy in speech, but when it comes to actions, that is something else."