Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed concern that a protracted conflict between the United States and Iran could further reduce American support for Ukraine, particularly as Kyiv relies on US-supplied Patriot air defence systems to counter Russian missile attacks. In an interview with the Associated Press, Zelensky said he fears that a long war in the Middle East will lead to smaller arms packages for Ukraine.
Zelensky highlighted that Ukraine desperately needs more Patriot systems to intercept Russian ballistic missiles, but that deliveries have been insufficient. He warned that if the Iran war continues, the already limited supply of Patriots will be further reduced, leaving Ukrainian cities more exposed to Russian strikes. The conflict in Iran has also diverted global resources and strained US production capacity, compounding Ukraine’s challenges.
The Ukrainian leader noted that Russia benefits economically from the Iran war, as rising oil prices—driven by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz—boost Kremlin revenues. A partial easing of US sanctions on Russian oil has also provided Moscow with additional funds to sustain its invasion, undermining Ukraine’s strategy to weaken Russia’s economy.
To maintain international focus on Ukraine, Zelensky offered to share Ukraine’s battlefield expertise in countering Iranian-made Shahed drones with the US and Gulf Arab states. Ukraine has developed low-cost interceptor drones and sea drones, which it produces in surplus with Western funding. In return, Zelensky suggested these countries could supply Ukraine with anti-ballistic missiles.
Zelensky made these remarks during a visit to Istanbul for talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who had spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin the previous day. The discussions covered peace negotiations and a potential leaders’ meeting in Istanbul.
