(JNS) Ukraine has asked Israel for a $500 million loan, Israeli media reported, as the European country’s economy continues to be battered by Russia’s ongoing invasion.

The loan request was submitted some two weeks ago by Ukraine’s Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, according to Israel Hayom. Israel has confirmed the request and is “examining” the matter, the report stated.

On June 8, Ukrainian Ambassador to Israel Yevgen Korniychuk urged Jerusalem to sell its Iron Dome air defense system to the Ukrainian military. The ambassador also asked Israel to sell Ukraine anti-tank missiles.

Jerusalem has sought to balance its desire to assist Ukraine with concerns over deteriorating its relationship with Russia, which has significant air and land forces deployed in neighboring Syria, where Israel is conducting a shadow campaign to disrupt Iranian military entrenchment and intercepts weapons smuggling efforts to arm Hezbollah.