Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed concern about the impact of the prolonged conflict between the U.S. and Israel against Iran on the level of support for Ukraine from the United States. In an exclusive interview held in Istanbul, Zelensky emphasized that the war in Iran could negatively affect the volume of Western assistance, particularly in the area of military supplies.
This is reported by Finway
“We must acknowledge that we are not a priority today,” Zelensky said. – “That is why I fear that a prolonged (Iranian) war will give us less support”
Lack of Patriot systems and the threat to Ukrainian cities
According to Zelensky, one of the most pressing issues remains the shortage of modern Patriot air defense systems, which play a key role in protecting against Russian ballistic missiles. The president noted that Ukraine has still not received a sufficient number of these American systems, and there is currently no effective alternative for intercepting missiles. If the war in Iran continues, the volumes of military assistance, which have already been limited, may be further reduced.
Ukraine hopes for support from European countries regarding the procurement of Patriots; however, due to limited production and already strained U.S. resources, expectations remain uncertain. The ongoing war in Iran, which has lasted for more than six weeks, has complicated the situation in the Middle East, affected the global economy, and led to the redirection of strategic reserves, making Ukrainian cities more vulnerable to attacks.
The position of the U.S. and NATO on the Middle East and Ukraine
Last month, the U.S. president called on NATO naval forces to assist in opening the Strait of Hormuz, but European countries refused, arguing that they were not ready to intervene in the conflict. Some leaders emphasized that this is “not their war,” which further complicated the situation regarding arms supplies for Ukraine.
According to reports, U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to halt arms supplies for PURL — NATO’s initiative for procuring weapons for Ukraine, which is funded by European countries. Trump also publicly acknowledged that the United States often has to redirect military assistance from one region to another, which could lead to a reduction in arms supplies previously designated for Ukraine in favor of the Middle East.