The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) has elected MK and former head of the Shin Bet security agency Avi Dichter to a task force that is attempting to mediate between Russia and Ukraine, Israel Hayom has learned.
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On Sunday, Dichter left for Poland, where he met up with the task force that was about to start a long train trip to Kyiv. The war has stopped flights to the Ukrainian capital.
In Kyiv, members of the task force held a marathon series of meetings with top Ukraine officials, after which they returned to Poland. On Wednesday, the task force was scheduled to arrive in Moscow for a series of meetings with senior Russian government officials.
The IPU task force has been approved by both the Russians and the Ukrainians, which see it as a fair broker. However, as of late Tuesday the chances of a cease-fire were slim.
The prevailing belief is that Russia will not compromise on anything less than annexation of the eastern Ukrainian districts Luhansk and Donetsk, or at least their secession from Ukraine. Ukraine remains steadfast in its refusal to give up any of its territory.
The first stage of the task force's work is focusing on promoting solution to humanitarian issues. Later, it will examine the possibility of meeting with Russian and Ukrainian representatives in a neutral third country. Israel was raised as a possible host nation for the meeting, should it take place.
The IPU underscored that the task force is designed to complement diplomatic efforts and is cooperating with various governments around the world that are also taking part in attempts to mediate between Russia and Ukraine, as well as with the UN.
"I believe in my ability to contribute from my many years of experience. Refusing to take part in the task force would have hurt Israel's good name and my mission in the IPU on behalf of the Knesset," Dichter said.
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