Israel Puts Kibosh on Ukraine Drone Deal

Israel’s foreign ministry nixed a planned sale of Eitan drones to Ukraine due to possible pressure from Russia:

The report added that Russia has blocked arms sales to Iran and Syria recently, and said Israel was concerned a drone sale to Ukraine would anger Moscow, and could provoke it to sell more arms to Syria and Iran, the Jewish state’s arch-enemy.

The broadcaster said a Ukrainian delegation had visited Israel with a view to acquiring military hardware including drones to use against pro-Russian separatists.

It was not reported when the visit took place or when the decision to turn down the request was taken.

A Defense Ministry spokesman refused to comment on the report.

The Eitan is an recon drone and carries no weapons.