Russia has positioned itself as a neutral player in Middle East affairs recently, maintaining stable ties with Israel and its Arab neighbors. But a shift occurred after Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack, as Israel now sees Russia’s more symbolic support for Hamas in Gaza as siding with the militant group.

Straight Arrow News contributor Peter Zeihan points to an important announcement from Israel’s UN ambassador that solidifies the shift in relations between Israel and Russia and potentially impacts the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Excerpted from Peter’s March 1 “Zeihan on Geopolitics” newsletter:

In a marked shift away from the historical relationship between Israel and Moscow, Israel plans to send early warning radar to Ukraine. The details of this plan are still unconfirmed, but let’s break it down.

Israel has developed some of the most advanced missile and drone detection and defense systems, known as the Iron Dome System. What’s being sent to Ukraine will likely be a much more basic version; regardless, it will be an invaluable piece of tech for the Ukrainian’s defense capabilities.

This move by Israel could also signify the beginning of increased cooperation with Western allies – most notably the U.S. Once the flood gates open, intelligence sharing, some Western funding, and enhancements to military capabilities shouldn’t be too far behind.