Zelensky worries that Ukraine would suffer from Trump's attack on Iran.
Zelensky worries that Ukraine would suffer from Trump's attack on Iran.
President Volodymyr Zelensky has cautioned that Ukraine may find it difficult to obtain air defense weapons due to the Middle East conflict.
Additionally, he stated that there was "a possibility" that Ukraine's friends might become sidetracked by the crisis and neglect to defend their nation from Russia's full-scale invasion.
He told the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, "We could find ourselves having difficulties procuring missiles and weaponry to defend our skies." "They may be necessary for the defense of the United States and its allies in the Middle East, such as Patriot missiles."
Zelensky responded, "Of sure, it is a risk," when asked if there was a chance that the US and the EU might overlook Ukraine's defense in favor of the Middle East. However, I hope that the Iranian problem stays contained and does not escalate into a protracted conflict. We have personal experience with how violent it can be.
Ukraine has become accustomed to being seen by the world for many years. Western officials flocked to Kyiv's streets last week to commemorate the somber fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale war.
However, a few days later, there has been a noticeable shift in attention to another battle here in the capital of Ukraine. The response of Gulf inhabitants to drone strikes, which in Kyiv would just elicit a shrug, has been noted by several here. However, more are concerned about the potential consequences of the fighting in the Middle East.
Zelensky's comments highlight the ambiguity. On the one hand, he is pessimistic, highlighting the dangers of Ukraine's defense against Russia turning into a forgotten conflict. The outcome of the most recent scheduled negotiations between the US and Russia is already doubtful.
He is also aware that the large quantities of air defense interceptor missiles being fired by Gulf nations may cause a worldwide scarcity, increasing the cost and difficulty of obtaining these weapons.
When the US and Israel attacked Iran's nuclear facilities last summer, it was undoubtedly the case. Zelensky stated, "Missile delivery programs for us were slowed substantially since Israel was under Iranian attack at the time." "It has not happened yet, but I fear it could happen again."
President Trump asserted that the United States had a "limitless supply" of weapons on Truth Social. However, he also used his tweet to make fun of Zelensky as "PT Barnum," a hoaxer and showman from the United States in the 19th century, implying that the head of Ukraine had duped President Joe Biden into giving away too many US weaponry for free.
Zelensky has, nonetheless, also searched for advantages. Tens of thousands of Shahed drones, which cause lethal havoc on Ukraine nearly every night, were sold by Iran to Russia. That might cease. "I think bombing Iranian military targets was a wise decision," he declared. "I do not think they will be able to do it anymore, but the Iranians create a lot of weaponry for Russia, mainly drones and missiles."
However, analysts note that after adapting Iran's design for assaults on Ukrainian cities, Russia now also manufactures Shaheds domestically.
Financially and politically, Kyiv would gain from providing drone technology and experience to Gulf allies, but as Zelensky has noted, it would likely only be possible if Russia agreed to a ceasefire.
Additionally, the president of Ukraine feels that Vladimir Putin's lack of assistance for Iran demonstrates Putin's weakness: "He talks, but does not act, proving that he is a weak ally of the Iranians." as he was in Syria under Bashar Assad."
Oleksandr Merezhko, the chairman of the Ukrainian parliament's foreign relations committee, reiterated that upbeat statement. He informed me that Ukraine may gain favor in the White House by endorsing the US strike on Iran: "The US does not consider us as allies, but as partners," he added.
"We have an opportunity to demonstrate our alliance. Iran and Russia are the same coalition that we are against.
Merezhko added that because Moscow could no longer claim to have control over Tehran and its nuclear aspirations, it had lost influence with the United States. The MP stated, "Iran no longer has this leverage, thus it has become less useful in the eyes of Trump."
Others are unsure. They point out that Russia has no official defense alliance with Iran and has not promised to support it in the case of an attack by the United States. Apart from contacting Gulf leaders to offer Russia's services as a mediator with Iran, others believe Putin is purposefully avoiding the crisis.
The New Eurasian Strategies Center's head of international policy, John Lough, stated: "Putin's goal is to retain the relationship with Trump and to utilize it to pull him out of the morass he has blundered into in Ukraine.""He can legitimately expect Washington to exert more pressure on Ukraine to accept his proposals for peace in exchange for not obstructing Trump in Iran," Lough continued.
If oil prices continue to skyrocket, Russia might benefit as well since it would be able to feed its industrial war machine. According to the US-based Institute for the Study of conflict, "Sustained high oil prices could keep Russia economically afloat and allow Russia to pay its conflict in Ukraine in the short term."
Crucially, nevertheless, it also stated: "It is unlikely, however, that Iran can successfully and indefinitely enforce a blockade on the Strait of Hormuz long enough for Russia to enjoy long-term benefits from the current spike in oil prices." This is only one of the reasons Ukrainian officials hope the Middle East conflict ends.
Perhaps the greatest worry in Kyiv is that the Middle East crisis would lead to further war fatigue over Ukraine. One diplomat informed me that the atmosphere in the city was depressing even though the temperature was rising as winter gave way to spring.They said, "There is a lot of fatigue." "The atmosphere is almost gloomy. There is a strong feeling that the Americans have betrayed them. little faith in Europeans as well. And now all this diversion. It is not very good.
