President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Ukraine was “undoubtedly now more focused on the Middle East” but “doesn’t want to lose any Americans.”
There are growing concerns in Kiev that the Middle East conflict will divert attention and weapons from the war that has engulfed Ukraine for the past four years.
“I strongly do not want the United States to withdraw from the Ukraine issue because of the Middle East,” Zelenskiy said.
In wide-ranging remarks released Sunday, the Ukrainian leader expressed concern that the large amount of ammunition the United States uses in its attack on Iran could lead to “delays in the delivery of certain weapons and reductions in the amount of defense materials critical to our country.”
“In my opinion, the risk is very high,” he added.
President Zelenskiy also provided details about Ukrainian drone experts assisting Gulf states facing Iranian attacks. He said three large teams led by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov were in the region providing advice on countering Iranian drone attacks.
Zelenskiy added: “The American side has contacted us several times. There have been several requests, including assistance to specific countries and assistance to Americans.” “At this time, we are conducting guidance and consultation to protect civilians and the base.”
Zelenskyy said in an interview with CNN’s Fareed Zakaria on Sunday that Russia is providing Iran with drones that it produces under license.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has previously declined to comment when asked about reports, including from CNN, that Russia is providing Iran with information on the location and movements of U.S. troops, ships and aircraft.
Ukraine has developed a variety of defenses against the thousands of Iranian-designed drones used in Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities and infrastructure.
In his remarks published on Sunday, Zelenskiy also said Ukraine was ready to share developed drone technology and electronic warfare systems with the United States.
“As you can see in the Middle East, even if you have enough missiles, anti-ballistic missiles, that’s not enough. What you need is a protection system.”
Zelenskiy said he had several discussions with President Donald Trump about the initiative, which could involve dozens of U.S. and Ukrainian companies developing interceptor missiles, half of which would be used by Ukraine and the other half by partner companies.
“But I can say that so far we have not received a clear answer.”
As the war in the Middle East continues, Ukraine is looking to other partners to strengthen its air defenses, Zelenskiy said.
“Currently, the only alternative in Europe is SAMP/T,” President Zelenskiy said, referring to the French and Italian surface-to-air missile systems.
“This year we will see if the new SAMP/T system can intercept ballistic missiles. If successful, it will provide valuable long-term support.”
Zelenskiy also reiterated his opposition to lifting some of the US sanctions on Russian oil exports in order to increase the amount of oil supplied to the world market.
The Trump administration announced Thursday that it would temporarily allow countries to purchase certain Russian oil products.
“I believe that lifting sanctions against Russia will not help the world. It will only help Russia,” Zelenskiy said, allowing Russia to close its ballooning budget deficit. “In the last 14-15 days, they made about $10 billion,” he claimed.
Zelenskiy said Ukraine would continue its attacks on Russia’s energy infrastructure and was talking with French President Emmanuel Macron and others “about the suspension and confiscation of Russian oil.”
The Russians “certainly have no intention of stopping the war,” he said, later adding that spring operations on the battlefield “have already failed.”
“They can’t break through anywhere with their equipment. We’re burning it down.”
Last month, for the first time since the summer of 2024, Ukrainian forces gained more territory than they lost, capturing hundreds of square kilometers on the southern front, analysts said.
President Zelenskiy said the Russian military “continues to try to act through infiltration tactics and constant attacks in different parts of the front, but does not carry out large-scale operations.”
He added that while the Russian government’s plan is to mobilize 400,000 people a year, “our plan is to cut at least 400,000 people a year.”
As neighboring Hungary enters the final month of a fierce election campaign, President Zelenskiy said Ukraine would cooperate with any Hungarian leader “as long as this person is not an ally of President Putin, especially of an aggressor state.”
Current Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin and has frequently tried to block European Union aid to Ukraine and sanctions against Russia.
“They’re just always looking for a reason to stop something and help Russia a little bit,” Zelenskiy said of the current Hungarian government, claiming that it was backed by Russian propagandists in the current election campaign.
