Latest news with #SimonaHalperin
Russia Today
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
Israeli ambassador to leave Russia early
Israeli Ambassador to Russia Simona Halperin will leave her post early due to a new appointment, Russian media reported on Monday, citing embassy representatives. Her stay is expected to end this autumn. In a statement on X earlier on Monday, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced Halperin's appointment as deputy director-general for Europe. The ministry did not specify whether she would be recalled from Russia immediately, but Israeli Embassy staff in Moscow told TASS she would remain until at least October. 'The ambassador will end her mission early, due to the fact that she received the position of head of the European Department at the Israeli Foreign Ministry… It is expected that Madam Ambassador will leave in October,' the representative said, adding that a replacement has not yet been named. Halperin, born in Riga in 1969, lived in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg) before immigrating to Israel in 1976. She has served in the Israeli Foreign Ministry since 1993, holding posts in a number of foreign missions. She was appointed Israel's envoy to Russia in November 2024. Her tenure in Moscow began with controversy after she was summoned by the Russian Foreign Ministry for remarks made in an interview with Kommersant, in which she criticized Moscow's stance on the October 7 Hamas attacks. She condemned Russia for refusing to label Hamas a terrorist group, accusing officials of 'embracing' and 'rolling out the red carpet' for the militant group. Russia's Foreign Ministry called the remarks 'an extremely unfortunate start to a diplomatic mission.' Since then, however, her stay has been largely uneventful. In a later interview with RBK, Halperin praised the cooperation between Russia and Israel in securing the release of Hamas' hostages. Russia maintains official ties with both Israel and Palestine and promotes a balanced diplomatic stance, supporting the creation of a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders. Moscow has condemned both Hamas' 2023 attack on Israel and the civilian toll due to IDF strikes in Gaza.
Russia Today
16-06-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
Israel wants to annihilate Iranian nuclear facilities before talks
Israel wants to entirely dismantle both Iran's nuclear program and destroy its ability to resume it in the future, Israeli Ambassador to Moscow Simona Halperin has told RT. West Jerusalem will only consider talks after this main goal is secured, she said. 'Israel is attacking the objects and individuals that lead the Iranian nuclear program, that lead the program to destroy Israel, as well as all those who would pose a military threat to Israel,' Halperin told the press at a briefing in the Israeli Embassy on Monday. When asked by RT about Russian President Vladimir Putin's offer to mediate talks between West Jerusalem and Tehran, the diplomat stressed that the Jewish state's current primary concern is the destruction of the Iranian nuclear program. 'Israel's number one priority' is to wipe out Iran's 'desire, ability and intention' to continue pursuing its nuclear program, Halperin told RT. It's premature to consider negotiations right now, she added. 'I think it's way too early to think about 'who, when, and how',' the diplomat said. 'I think it is very important to address the critical issues, ability and intent,' she said, referring to the goals of the Israeli bombing campaign. 'After we resolve these issues, we will see how we can proceed,' Halperin said. When asked whether Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who called for Iranians to topple their government, was setting a coup as one of the goals of the military operation, the diplomat said 'no.' 'This is not one of Israel's objectives in the operation,' she told RT. 'Only the Iranian people will decide for themselves what they want and how they're ruled.' Iran has condemned the Israeli attack as entirely unprovoked, and accused the Jewish state of 'scuttling' its Oman-brokered nuclear talks with the US. Tehran has no interest in bloodshed, and did not begin the hostilities, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Monday. Despite this, Iran would fight 'to the last drop of blood' to defend its 'land, people, dignity and achievements,' he warned. Tehran has repeatedly insisted that its nuclear program is entirely peaceful.
