US Focus Shifts to Iran Conflict, Straining Ukraine War Support, Zelensky Says
Berlin — Volodymyr Zelensky said on Tuesday that the United States has diverted diplomatic attention away from Ukraine due to the ongoing war in Iran, warning that delays in arms deliveries and reduced pressure on Vladimir Putin could weaken Kyiv’s position in the conflict.
Speaking to German broadcaster ZDF, Zelensky said US negotiators, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, were heavily engaged in Middle East diplomacy, leaving limited bandwidth for advancing peace efforts in Ukraine.
He described both figures as “pragmatic” but indicated their current focus had shifted toward managing tensions involving Iran.Zelensky said that a lack of sustained US pressure on Moscow risks emboldening the Kremlin.
“If the United States does not put pressure on Putin and only engages in a gentle dialogue with the Russians, then they will no longer be afraid,” he said.Negotiations aimed at ending the war between Russia and Ukraine have stalled in recent weeks, with no direct talks reported since February meetings in Geneva.
The diplomatic slowdown coincides with the escalation of conflict in the Middle East in late March, which has drawn significant US strategic and military attention.Zelensky also highlighted disruptions in US arms deliveries to Ukraine, calling the situation “a big problem,” particularly in the supply of air defense systems.
He pointed to shortages in PAC-3 and PAC-2 interceptor missiles, which are critical for countering aerial threats.According to Zelensky, these systems are largely procured through the PURL program, a mechanism established last year that allows European countries to finance US military equipment for Ukraine.
He said deliveries under the program had slowed, creating operational challenges for Ukrainian forces.“At the very beginning of the war in the Middle East we understood that we can have challenges,” Zelensky said, adding that the delays have placed Ukraine in a “very difficult position.”
Later in Norway, Zelensky met Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, where the two countries signed a joint declaration aimed at enhancing defense and security cooperation. The agreement includes plans to expand collaboration between defense industries and initiate production of Ukrainian drones in Norway.
Earlier in the day, Zelensky led a delegation to Berlin for talks with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and senior officials.
The discussions focused on strengthening bilateral defense ties and advancing a broader strategic partnership amid the protracted conflict with Russia, now in its fifth year.
