Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that due to Russia’s involvement in supporting the Iranian regime, international attention is shifting to the Middle East. This change in focus could significantly impact the volume of aid to Ukraine, particularly in the area of air defense.
This is reported by Kyiv24
Ukraine’s Position on the Escalation in the Middle East
According to Zelensky, the Iranian regime is currently not supplying Russia with missiles and certain types of weapons that could be used to attack Ukrainian cities. At the same time, the head of state emphasized that it is impossible to be certain about the extent of assistance from Iran, as it is unknown what quantities of weapons have already been transferred or could be transferred to the Russian Federation in the future.
“Russia is assisting the Iranian regime. We understand what has already been provided, although we do not know the volumes of what they are ready to transfer. The good news is that the Iranian regime is not supplying Russia with missiles and some other types of weapons that are used for attacks against Ukraine,” the Ukrainian leader stressed.
Consequences for International Support for Ukraine
The President emphasized that a prolonged war in the Middle East could create risks for Ukraine, as a prolonged conflict may reduce international attention and support for Kyiv. This, in turn, could affect the country’s ability to defend its air borders, as less attention leads to a reduction in the supply of air defense systems. Zelensky expressed hope that the conflict in the Middle East would not drag on, as any losses are a tragedy for humanity.
At the same time, Ukraine is ready to support Middle Eastern countries in defending against Iranian attacks. Zelensky reported that Ukrainian experts are already working on relevant agreements, and representatives from Ukraine will help strengthen the defense of these states on the ground. Additionally, the United States and one of the Gulf countries have expressed interest in purchasing Ukrainian interceptor drones to combat Iranian “Shaheds.”
The President also proposed an exchange to the countries of the Middle East: Ukraine will provide assistance and expert support, and in return, expects the supply of missiles for its air defense systems.