Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has issued a stark warning that the United States is disregarding compelling evidence of Russian collaboration with Iran to target American military bases in the Middle East. According to Zelenskyy, this oversight stems from a misguided trust in Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Evidence of Russian-Iranian Collaboration
In a revealing interview on The Rest is Politics podcast with Alastair Campbell, Zelenskyy detailed how he has attempted to alert the White House to the deepening ties between Moscow and Tehran. He asserted that Russian military satellites have been used to photograph critical energy infrastructure in Gulf states and Israel, as well as the precise locations of US army bases across the region.
"The Kremlin passed these detailed images and information to the Iranian regime to facilitate attacks," Zelenskyy stated. He questioned the lack of US response, saying, "I said this publicly. Did we hear a reaction from the US to Russia that they have to stop it? The problem is they trust Putin. And it's a pity."
Concerns Over US Diplomacy and Understanding
Zelenskyy expressed concerns about the Trump administration's approach, noting that negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner had "spent too much time" with Putin and his officials, visiting Moscow five times last year without a single trip to Kyiv. He argued this has led to a failure to grasp Russia's true intentions in the conflict.
The Ukrainian leader warned that Putin's demands for Ukraine to cede the Donbas region are a trap. "Putin will not stop if he gets the Donbas; he will next try to seize Dnipro and Kharkiv," Zelenskyy cautioned, adding that the US seems to believe Putin can be trusted, which he views as a dangerous misconception.
Broader Implications for European Security
Zelenskyy also commented on European security dynamics, criticizing US Vice-President JD Vance's campaign support for Hungarian President Viktor Orbán as "not helpful," though he emphasized non-interference in Hungary's elections.
He urged Europe to bolster its military capabilities, suggesting a coalition including Ukraine, the UK, Turkey, and Norway to counter Russian threats. "Without Ukraine and Turkey, Europe will not have an army comparable to Russia's. With these allies, you can control security across multiple seas," he explained, expressing confidence in Ukraine's future EU membership.
This interview highlights growing fears that US trust in Putin may be compromising security not only in Ukraine but across the Middle East, with Zelenskyy positioning himself as a critical voice understanding Putin's psychology and strategic aims better than Western allies.
