Zelensky: War with Iran could weaken US assistance to Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed concern that the prolonged military actions of the United States and Israel against Iran could reduce international aid to Ukraine. He said this in an interview with the Associated Press (AP) during his visit to Istanbul on April 5.

“We must admit that now we are not a priority (for the United States). Therefore, I am afraid that the prolonged war in Iran may lead to a decrease in aid to Ukraine,” Zelensky said.

He noted that Kiev had not previously received the full supply of Patriot air defense systems and the necessary missiles for them. If the war with Iran does not end soon, aid to Ukraine could “decrease day by day.”

At the same time, Zelensky noted that the temporary easing of sanctions on Russian oil by the US has brought economic benefits to Moscow: “Russia is getting additional income from this, so it is beneficial for them,” he said.

It is reported that the US has temporarily exempted from sanctions the sale of Russian oil and oil products loaded on ships until March 12. According to US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant, this decision was made by President Donald Trump in order to maintain stability in the global energy market and not increase prices.

At the same time, on March 11, the G7 countries agreed not to lift sanctions on Russian oil against the backdrop of the war with Iran.

On April 1, the Financial Times reported that Donald Trump threatened to stop arms supplies to Ukraine if European countries do not help open the Strait of Hormuz. Also, according to the Washington Post, the Pentagon is considering the possibility of diverting important military equipment intended for Ukraine to a war with Iran.

The US and Israel have been carrying out airstrikes on Iran since February 28. As a result, Iran\'s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and a number of senior officials were reportedly killed.

Iran, in turn, continues to launch missile and drone strikes on neighboring countries in the Persian Gulf region. Tehran claims that these attacks are aimed at US military bases.

At the same time, the Iranian attacks have also affected oil depots and tankers. Azerbaijan and Cyprus are also reported to have been hit.

These developments pose a significant threat to the effectiveness and sustainability of international assistance to Ukraine, as well as complicate the situation in regional security and the global energy market.