Zelenskyy Warns US Iran Focus Stalls Ukraine Peace and Aid

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed frustration on Tuesday over the United States' divided attention between the war in Ukraine and the escalating conflict in Iran, warning that stalled peace efforts and delayed arms shipments are jeopardizing Kyiv's defense against Russia's invasion. Speaking in an interview with German broadcaster ZDF during visits to Berlin and Oslo, Zelenskyy highlighted how U.S. negotiators have shifted focus away from Ukraine.

Zelenskyy noted that Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, key figures in U.S.-led talks with Moscow, are "constantly in talks with Iran" and have "no time for Ukraine." He described the negotiators as pragmatic in their attempts to engage Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war but cautioned that a lack of firm pressure could embolden Russia. "If the United States does not put pressure on Putin and only engages in a gentle dialogue, then they will no longer be afraid," Zelenskyy said. The talks, aimed at resolving Europe's deadliest conflict since World War II, have not progressed since Russian and Ukrainian delegations met in Geneva in February, with momentum lost after the Iran war intensified in late February.