Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed concern that a prolonged U.S.-Israeli war on Iran could further erode America's support for Ukraine. Zelenskyy said he has a 'very bad feeling' about the impact of this war on efforts to end the fighting in Ukraine. He highlighted that Russian leader Vladimir Putin 'will want a long war' in the Middle East as it helps weaken Ukraine, adding that discussions with the U.S. reflect a broader loss of focus on Ukraine. Zelenskyy said diplomatic meetings are constantly postponed due to the war in Iran.
Ukraine desperately needs more U.S.-made Patriot air defense systems and missiles to counter Russia's daily barrages. Russia's relentless pounding of urban areas behind the front line has killed thousands of civilians. Zelenskyy had been counting on European partners to help make Patriot purchases despite tight supply and limited U.S. production capacity.
We have to recognize that we are not the priority for today. That's why I am afraid a long (Iran) war will give us less support.
Russia has targeted Ukraine's energy supply to disrupt industrial production of newly developed drones and missiles, while also denying civilians heat and running water in winter. Russian officials said Sunday a fire broke out at a major oil refinery in the Nizhny Novgorod region after a drone attack.
The Iran war has sent shock waves through the global economy and pulled in much of the wider Middle East region, straining resources and diverting stockpiles. Surging oil prices driven by Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz are boosting the Kremlin's oil revenues and strengthening Moscow's capacity to sustain its war effort. For Kyiv, a key objective is to weaken Moscow’s economy and make the war prohibitively costly.
I have a very bad feeling about the impact of this war on the situation in Ukraine and the focus of America. It's more on the Middle East than on Ukraine, unfortunately.
Diplomatic disruptions have emerged, with Zelenskyy saying diplomatic meetings are constantly postponed due to the war in Iran. The latest U.S.-brokered talks between envoys from Moscow and Kyiv ended in February with no sign of a breakthrough. Ukraine remains in contact with U.S. negotiators about a potential deal to end the war and has continued to press for stronger security guarantees.
Zelenskyy addressed the strain on the 'Special Relationship' between the UK and US amid the Iran war, saying the history between the two nations is 'stronger than the emotions of two or three people'. On Friday, the US President said the UK 'should have acted a lot faster' in allowing America to use British bases to strike Iranian missile sites targeting the Strait of Hormuz. Zelenskyy said the two leaders, Keir Starmer and Donald Trump, should meet and 'reload' the relationship.
For Putin, a long war in Iran is a plus. It means the depletion of US reserves and the depletion of air defence manufacturers, so we have a depletion of resources.
Zelenskyy added that Donald Trump is 'concentrating on Iran'. Donald Trump’s demands for NATO allies to 'take the lead' on Hormuz loom over a 41-nation call organized by the U.K.
European diplomatic maneuvering is underway, with Finland’s Stubb suggesting that Europe could offer to help Trump on Iran if he backs Ukraine.
Russia gets additional money because of this, so yes, they have benefits.
The Iran war is straining limited resources, diverting stockpiles, and leaving Ukrainian cities more exposed to ballistic strikes.
Specific measures to address Ukraine's Patriot air defense shortage amid the Iran war remain unclear. The quantitative impact of resource diversion on Ukraine's military capabilities is not fully assessed. Details of the potential Ukraine-U.S. deal to end the war are undisclosed. The extent of the Russian oil revenue boost from eased sanctions is not fully quantified. The status of the 41-nation call on the Strait of Hormuz is not detailed.