US Praises Israeli Mediation - Ukraine Says El Al Evading Sanctions

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid today discussed the Ukraine war and the Iran nuclear talks during a meeting in Riga. Blinken praised Israeli efforts to mediate a resolution to the conflict.

• Blinken said: 'We very much appreciate the efforts that any of our close partners and friends and allies can make to see if there's any opening to end the war.'
• Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba earlier today attacked Israel's national carrier El Al: 'While the world sanctions Russia for its barbaric atrocities in Ukraine, some prefer to make money soaked in Ukrainian blood. Here is EL AL ISRAEL accepting payments in Russian banking system ‘Mir’ designed to evade sanctions. Immoral and a blow to Ukrainian-Israeli relations.'
• The US has been engaged in a months long diplomatic effort to convince Israel to support a JCPOA deal in the face of negative sentiment in the country. This has included the dispatch of a number of high-level diplomatic delegates and lawmakers to Israel.
• The prospect of Israel acting as a mediator to ceasefire talks look remote after today's developments despite close ties to both Russia and Ukraine.