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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed concerns on Tuesday about the current focus of American peace negotiators, stating that the ongoing conflict in Iran has diverted their attention away from Ukraine. In an interview with a German broadcaster, he also voiced frustrations over delays in the shipment of US military support.
Speaking with Germany’s public broadcaster ZDF, Zelenskyy mentioned that Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who have been instrumental in facilitating discussions with Moscow to resolve the Russia-Ukraine conflict, are now heavily engaged in negotiations with Iran.
Zelenskyy described Witkoff and Kushner as “pragmatic,” noting their efforts to capture more of President Putin’s attention to bring an end to the war.
He warned, however, that if the United States opts for a more lenient approach in its dealings with Russia without applying significant pressure, it could embolden Moscow. “Without pressure, a gentle dialogue alone will not instill fear,” Zelenskyy remarked.
Efforts led by the US to resolve the most lethal conflict in Europe since World War II have hit a standstill since tensions with Iran escalated on February 28. The last meeting between Russian and Ukrainian negotiators occurred in February in Geneva, with no further sessions since.
Zelenskyy said that the issue of deliveries of US arms to Ukraine has become “a big problem”.
“If the war goes on, there will be less arms for Ukraine. It’s critical, especially in materials for air defences,” he said.
Zelenskyy later told a press conference during a visit to Norway that this was especially a problem for PAC-3 interceptor missiles, as well as the PAC-2 missile.
He said these were primarily bought through the PURL programme, which was launched last year and allows Ukraine to receive US equipment financed by European countries.
“At the very beginning of… (the) war in the Middle East we understood that we can have challenges,” Zelenskyy said.
Zelenskyy said deliveries came “slowly”, noting it was a “very difficult position for us.”
Zelenskyy made the comment alongside Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, with the two leaders announcing they had signed “a joint declaration on enhanced defence and security cooperation.”
The Norwegian government said in a statement the countries wished to “facilitate closer cooperation between the Norwegian and Ukrainian defence industries” and that “Ukrainian drones will now be manufactured in Norway.”
Earlier on Tuesday, Zelenskyy led a government delegation to Berlin, where they met Chancellor Friedrich Merz and key ministers to discuss Ukraine’s war against Russia, now in its fifth year.
The two countries also announced a strategic partnership centred on defence.
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