(MENAFN) According to a recent source, US officials pressed Israel to negotiate a contract to provide Ukraine with some "critical minerals."

To prevent tensions with Moscow, Israel is said to want the agreement's terms kept secret.

The Israeli daily Haaretz reported on Thursday, citing claims from three top European diplomatic sources, that the US administration approached Israeli officials many weeks ago to encourage them to deliver anti-aircraft weapons to Ukraine. Instead of accepting the demand, Israel offered to pay the "strategic materials."

Based on the source, several million dollars have been sent to a NATO member state strongly involved in the delivery of military weapons to Ukraine.

Following receipt of the funds, the government purchased the products and shipped them to Ukraine. According to Haaretz sources, Israel demanded that the specifics and nature of the documents be kept hidden; Israel also urged that all parties engaged in the deal refrain from disclosing it publicly in order to avoid upsetting the Russian government.

Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelensky, has frequently requested that Israel supply his nation with military equipment, notably the Iron Dome air defense system.

Due to diplomatic connections with Russia, Israel has officially declined the request and has only delivered military equipment like as helmets and body armor to Kiev.

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