Defense Minister Benny Gantz stated on Wednesday that Israel will not provide arms to bolster Ukrainian resistance against Russia, in response to Russia's fears that such a move would undermine its relations with Tel Aviv.

Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February, Gantz has battled to retain Israel's relative neutrality. In briefing European Union ambassadors, he stated that Israel's position would not change.

According to a statement from his office, he added, "Our policy vis-a-vis Ukraine will not change - we will continue to support and stand with the West, we will not provide weapon systems,"

He stated that his nation would continue to provide Ukraine with "humanitarian aid" and "life-saving defensive equipment"

Officials from Ukraine have demanded that Israel provide them with armaments, citing Iran's support for Russia.

According to Ukrainian media, foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba stated on Tuesday that Kyiv would request air defense equipment from Israel.

"If Israel's policy is really to consistently counter Iran's destructive actions, then it is time for Israel to openly side with Ukraine," he said.

Tuesday, according to Axios, the Ukrainian government formally requested the Iron Dome air defense system from Israel to deter Iranian ballistic missiles and Iranian attack drones employed by Russia.

Ukraine has requested other missile defense systems, including Iron Beam, Barak-8, Patriot, David's Sling, and Arrow Interceptor, and Israeli assistance training Ukrainian operators.

"According to available information ... there is a high probability of prompt deliveries to the Russian Federation of Fateh-110 and Zolfaghar ballistic missiles from Iran," Axios obtained a letter from the Ukrainian Embassy in Israel to the Israeli Foreign Ministry.

In recent weeks, Iran has supplied Russia with weaponized drones, making headlines.

In recent weeks, the prominence of Iranian drones on Ukraine's battlefields has increased, with Russia responding to military failures by launching major strikes on Kyiv.

To sustain its campaign of air strikes on Iranian-backed forces and government targets in neighboring Syria, which is supported by Moscow and hosts Russian military forces, Israel requires Russian cooperation. Along with other diplomatic considerations, this has made Israel wary of damaging its relations with Russia.

On Monday, the former Russian president and prime minister Dmitry Medvedev alleged that "Israel looks to be preparing to provide weaponry to the Kiev government. A highly dangerous action. It would sever all bilateral ties between our nations "He stated in a Telegram message.