Zelenskyy Warns of US Focus Shift in Iran Conflict as Ukraine Faces Missile Shortage

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expresses concern over a prolonged US-Israeli war on Iran, fearing it could diminish America's support for Ukraine. With urgent needs for Patriot air defense systems against Russia, Zelenskyy underscores Ukraine's strategies and partnerships while warning against losing focus on Kyiv amid shifting global priorities.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy shared his apprehensions about the potential impact of an extended US-Israeli conflict with Iran on the support Ukraine receives from America. In an exclusive interview from Istanbul with The Associated Press, Zelenskyy highlighted Ukraine's urgent demand for additional US-made Patriot air defense missiles to counter persistent Russian attacks.

Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine has been facing relentless bombardments targeting not only its urban areas but also its energy infrastructure. This continuous assault has had dire consequences on Ukraine's civilian population and its missile production capabilities. With shifting global priorities possibly skewing US focus toward the Iran conflict, Zelenskyy voiced concerns over shrinking support for Kyiv.

At the same time, Zelenskyy stressed Ukraine's intention to leverage its battlefield expertise to forge stronger defense collaborations, particularly in countering Iranian-made drones. Amid a backdrop of resurging oil prices and restrictive sanction easings, Zelenskyy's visit to Gulf Arab nations aimed to foster defense cooperation and explore assistance in obtaining anti-ballistic missile support.

(With inputs from agencies.)