Russia is helping Iran in the war, while Ukraine has secured defense deals in the Middle East. Volodymyr Zelenskyy made these and other statements in an interview with NBC News.
Russian support for Iran
In the March 28 interview, Zelenskyy said Russian structures photographed a US air base in Saudi Arabia several times before an Iranian attack. He said there were at least three such instances over a few days. On March 26, Iran struck the base. The attack injured American troops.
“I think that it’s in Russia’s interest to help Iranians. And I don’t believe — I know — that they share information. Do they help Iranians? Of course. How many percent? One-hundred percent,” Zelenskyy said.
He made the statement amid rising tensions in the Middle East and worsening relations between the United States and Iran. Ukraine has repeatedly warned that Russia and Iran are deepening military cooperation. Tehran has supplied Moscow with drones and other weapons for the war against Ukraine. Now, Zelenskyy says, the cooperation may work both ways, with Russia assisting Iran.
Ukraine’s deals in the Middle East
Zelenskyy also said he visited Gulf countries this week to secure agreements on Ukrainian air defense technologies. Ukraine signed defense deals with Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Kyiv will share expertise on using these technologies in exchange for investments in Ukraine’s defense industry.
The war involving Iran has increased demand for US-made interceptor missiles in the region. Iran carries out daily attacks, and stockpiles are running low. Zelenskyy expressed concern that the US could redirect weapons from Ukraine to the Middle East. However, he said there have been no supply disruptions so far. He stressed that Western weapons remain critical for Ukraine’s defense against Russia. He also noted that the US is currently more focused on its own priorities. Still, he said he hopes Donald Trump cares about Ukraine’s future.
Putin and stalled negotiations
Zelenskyy said Vladimir Putin wants the Middle East war to last longer. According to him, Russia benefits from the conflict, including through the potential lifting of US sanctions on Russian oil.
“If sanctions are lifted, [Putin] will get more money, much more money, and he will put this money to weapons,” Zelenskyy said.
Before the Iran war escalated, US-mediated talks between Ukraine and Russia had stalled. Zelenskyy believes the new conflict will slow diplomacy even further. He said US mediators failed to organize talks on neutral ground outside the United States during the escalation.
Washington proposed trilateral talks on its territory, but Russia refused. Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine is ready to meet anytime, as long as the talks are not held in Russia or Belarus.
“We will never be the side who is blocking or delaying or postponing, etc. And that’s why we are ready to meet everywhere except Russia and Belarus — they are allies and they are enemies,” he said.
He suggested Turkey or Switzerland as possible venues.
Earlier, The Ukrainian Review reported that the US is considering sending at least 10,000 additional troops to the Middle East amid tensions around Iran.
