Zelenskyy said he had a “very bad feeling” about the consequences of the escalating conflict in the Middle East for Ukraine’s war with Russia. According to the Ukrainian leader, the tensions are also contributing to delays in diplomatic efforts to end the conflict.
He said the ongoing crisis is benefiting Russia by driving up energy prices and placing pressure on Western defence resources. Zelenskyy also warned that Ukraine could face a shortage of critical air defence missiles as existing stockpiles are consumed elsewhere.
“In addition to energy prices, it means the depletion of US reserves, and the depletion of air defense manufacturers. So, we (Ukraine) have a depletion of resources,” Zelenskyy said.
The Ukrainian president said there would “definitely” be a deficit of Patriot missiles and described the situation as “a challenge”. He added that the key question is “when will all the stockpiles in the Middle East be exhausted.”
Zelenskyy also highlighted the limits of current missile production compared with wartime demand. “America produces 60-65 missiles per month. Imagine, 65 missiles per month is about 700-800 missiles per year, produced each year. And on the first day in the Middle East war, 803 missiles were used,” he said.
The Middle East conflict escalated on Feb. 28 when the United States and Israel launched a joint offensive on Iran. According to available figures, the operation has resulted in around 1,300 deaths, including Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Iran has responded with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, as well as Jordan, Iraq and Gulf states hosting US military assets. The attacks have caused casualties and infrastructure damage while disrupting aviation and global markets.
Zelenskyy also commented on the position of US President Donald Trump regarding the Russia-Ukraine war. He argued that Trump appears to be avoiding taking sides in the conflict in order “not to irritate” Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Regarding relations between Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Zelenskyy said he hoped the two leaders would meet soon. “I would really like President Trump to meet with Starmer, … so that they have a common position,” he added.
Source: BBC.
