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Analysis | Israel-Gaza conflict adds to dangers for Ukraine’s war effort

  • Israeli military needs could compete with Kyiv for US military supplies
  • Russia may hope that the Israel turmoil will distract allies from Ukraine

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Israeli army Merkava tanks near the border with Gaza in southern Israel. Photo; AFP

Russia is set to benefit from the Israel-Gaza conflict, as Israel’s requests for US military aid risk diverting weapons and focus from Ukraine while the rising price of oil bolsters Moscow’s economy.

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US and Nato allies have rebuffed concerns about their ability to continue supporting Ukraine militarily in the aftermath of Gaza-based militant group Hamas’ attack on Israel, which already receives billions in aid from Washington every year.

Yet there’s a clear understanding in the Kremlin that the war between Israel and Hamas will work to Russia’s favour, according to two people with knowledge of the situation, who asked not to be identified because of the sensitivity of the issue.

The conflict may, at the very least, work to distract US and European attention from the war in Ukraine, the people said, even while Russia has concerns about its escalation.

President Vladimir Putin’s objectives “will be achieved faster” if a US focus on the Israel conflict results in the slowdown of arms deliveries to Kyiv, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Monday at a news conference, after talks with Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Aboul Gheit. “But they will be achieved in any case.”

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