Sympathy for Palestine in Ukraine becomes increasingly accepted

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Ukraine’s stance on Israel has shifted amid ongoing debates over Gaza. In October 2023, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed support for Israel during its conflict with Gaza. First Lady Olena Zelenska also stated that Ukrainians understand and share the pain of the Israeli people.

Billboards displaying Israeli flags were seen across Kyiv at the time. This reflected a position held by many in Ukrainian society and Western leaders. However, some individuals who hold dual citizenship have expressed differing views.

Hashem, a Gaza-born medical professional with Ukrainian citizenship, noted that there is a significant disparity in how Palestinians and Ukrainians are treated internationally. “Travelling as a Ukrainian opens doors; travelling as a Palestinian closes them,” he said. Hashem emphasized the importance of universal human rights, stating that they cannot depend on nationality or passport.

As Israel’s bombardment of Gaza continued, some Ukrainians began to reassess their views on the conflict. Yuliia Kishchuk, a Ukrainian researcher, stated that the engineered starvation of Palestinians in Gaza led many to reconsider their stance. She noted that parallels were drawn with the Soviet-era famine known as the Holodomor.

Pro-Palestinian protests have emerged in Kyiv, and prominent journalists and podcasters have begun covering the plight of Palestinians. However, a recent surge in attacks on Ukraine’s infrastructure has temporarily halted these protests.

The United States’ approach to the Russia-Ukraine war has also had an impact on Ukrainian public opinion. Many now view Washington as less of a steadfast ally and more of a power willing to treat Ukraine as a resource base. The signing of a mineral deal with the US has led some to reflect on how Ukraine is perceived as a resource base, connecting it to Palestine and other countries in the Global South.

In recent months, Kyiv has shifted its stance towards Palestine, recognizing both Israel and Palestine as sovereign states. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy publicly stated this at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore in 2024. Additionally, Ukraine sent 1,000 tonnes of wheat flour to the Palestinian territories through its “Grain from Ukraine” initiative in July 2024. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also criticized Israel’s September 2025 attack on Qatar as a gross violation of international law.

Source: Al Jazeera