Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed concern that if the US-Israeli conflict with Iran drags on too long, it could weaken US support for Ukraine, the Associated Press reported, quoted by BTA.
The agency notes that, amid the change in Washington's global priorities, Kiev is preparing for a possible reduction in critically important supplies of Patriot air defense missiles.
“We must admit that we are not a priority for now,“ Zelensky said in an interview with the AP, given during his visit to Istanbul yesterday. “That's why I fear that a long war (against Iran) could reduce support for us.“
The next round of negotiations in February, held with American mediation between representatives of Moscow and Kiev, did not end with a result. Zelensky, who accuses Russia of deliberately stalling the talks while the war continues, said Kiev remains in contact with U.S. negotiators about a possible agreement to end the conflict and is pushing for strong security guarantees.
However, even in these talks, he said, it is clear that Ukraine is no longer as much of a focus as it once was.
His most immediate concern is the Patriot systems, which are key to intercepting Russian ballistic missiles, as the country currently has no reliable alternative.
These American systems have never been delivered in sufficient quantities anyway, Zelensky said, adding that if the war with Iran does not end soon, aid to Ukraine "will become less and less."
The Ukrainian president also pointed out that Russia is benefiting economically from the conflict in the Middle East east, citing the example of easing US sanctions against Russian oil.