Zelenskyy warns long Iran war could weaken support for Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned that a prolonged conflict in the Middle East could divert international attention and weaken Western military support for Kyiv as it continues to battle Russia’s invasion.

Speaking in an interview in Istanbul, Zelenskyy said Ukraine urgently needs more Patriot air defence systems to counter Russia’s daily missile and drone attacks but fears that the escalating US–Israel conflict with Iran could shift Washington’s priorities.

“We have to recognise that we are not the priority for today ,” Zelenskyy said. “That’s why I am afraid a long war with Iran will give us less support for Ukraine .”

Russia’s invasion, now entering its fifth year, has seen repeated strikes on cities and infrastructure far from the front line, killing thousands of civilians and damaging power facilities, disrupting industry and winter heating supplies.

Zelenskyy said the Middle East conflict is also indirectly strengthening Moscow. Disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz have pushed oil prices higher, increasing revenues for Russia, one of the world’s largest crude exporters. He also cited the temporary easing of US restrictions on Russian oil exports aimed at stabilising global energy supplies.

“ Russia gets additional money because of this ,” Zelenskyy said. “So yes, they have benefits.”

Ukraine has responded by intensifying long-range drone attacks on Russian oil facilities , targeting refineries and export infrastructure to weaken Moscow’s war financing.

To keep Ukraine on the global agenda, Zelenskyy has launched a renewed diplomatic push in the Middle East and offered to share Kyiv’s battlefield experience in countering Iranian-made Shahed drones used extensively by Russian forces.

Ukraine has developed low-cost interceptor drones and other technologies to destroy incoming drones. Zelenskyy said Kyiv is ready to share this expertise with Gulf countries facing Iranian threats in exchange for anti-ballistic missile systems and other defence support.

In Istanbul, Zelenskyy held talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on defence cooperation and possible peace negotiations with Russia before travelling to Syria to meet President Ahmed al-Sharaa on security cooperation.

Meanwhile, fighting continues along the 1,250-kilometre front line. Russia controls about 20 per cent of Ukrainian territory , including Crimea. Ukraine’s army chief Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi said Russian troops are attempting breakthroughs in several areas as part of a new spring offensive .

Overnight attacks also continued. Authorities said a drone strike killed one person in Nikopol, while in Odesa, a Russian strike killed three people and wounded 16 others , underscoring the continuing danger to civilians.