Zelensky Complains: Iran War Makes US Forget Ukraine War
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Tuesday that US peace negotiators “have no time for Ukraine” at present. He even stated that there is currently a real disruption in the delivery of weapons from the US to his country, which is still at war with Russia.
This is occurring due to the war in Iran. On Tuesday, Zelensky told Germany’s public broadcaster ZDF that the two US envoys who are supposed to help mediate the Ukraine-Russia war, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, “are constantly engaged in talks with Iran” at the moment.
Quoting AFP, Wednesday (15/4/2026), describing them as “pragmatic”, Zelensky said they are trying “to get more attention from Putin to end the war”. However, Zelensky added, “if the United States does not pressure Putin and only engages in soft dialogue with Russia, then they will no longer be afraid”.
Indeed, the US-led talks to end the deadliest conflict in Europe since the Second World War have stalled since the Iran war erupted on 28 February. The Russian and Ukrainian negotiators have not met since February in Geneva.
“If the war continues, there will be fewer weapons for Ukraine. This is very important, especially in terms of materials for air defence,” Zelensky remarked again regarding aid weapons against Russia from the US.
Zelensky raised the same issue during a press conference on his state visit to Norway. US aid for PAC-3 interceptor missiles and PAC-2 missiles is disrupted.
He said that the equipment was mostly purchased through the PURL programme, launched last year. This allows Ukraine to receive US equipment funded by European countries.
“At the start of the war in the Middle East, we understood that we might face challenges,” Zelensky said.
“Deliveries are coming slowly and noting that it is a very difficult situation for Ukraine,” he added.
The Russia-Ukraine war is now entering its fifth year. Based on data from the BBC and Western analysts, there are 400,000-650,000 soldiers killed in this war, with more than 15,000 civilians losing their lives. Based on verified UN data.