Challenge in ‘23: How Biden handles Israel and India, who have narrowly defined their national interests to the point that they are tilting toward Russia and rejecting Biden’s case that this war is not just about Ukraine, but the rules of intl. order. Too big a split to hide.

New Israeli foreign minister Eli Cohen signaled a policy shift on Ukraine in his 1st speech hinting the new government will take a more pro-Russian lin". He said he will speak on Tuesday with Russian FM Lavrov – 1st such call since the Russian invasion of Ukraine.  In his speech Cohen hinted that unlike his predecessor Yair Lapid he will not condemn Russia publicly. "On the issue of Russia and Ukraine we will do on thing for sure – speak less in public." The new Israeli FM said he is going to draft a responsible new policy on the war in Ukraine and stressed the foreign ministry will prepare a detailed presentation to the security cabinet on this issue. He also said the Israeli humanitarian aid to Ukraine will continue. Why it matters: Cohen’s predecessor Yair Lapid led a tough line Russia, condemned it publicly & even said the Russian military committed war crimes. Since the invasion Lapid didn’t speak to Lavrov & after he assumed office as caretaker prime minister he didn’t speak to Putin. 

https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/in-1st-speech-foreign-minister-cohen-hails-us-eu-ties-vows-to-talk-less-on-ukraine/