Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed concern that the United States’ shifting attention to the Middle East is diminishing pressure on Russia, potentially extending the ongoing war. In an interview with Newsmax, he emphasized that without stronger actions from Washington, Moscow is unlikely to halt its aggression.
Zelensky stated, “We all want to stop this war. The problem is that the priority for the United States has now shifted to the Middle East. I fear that if we limit ourselves to just discussions, Russia will not feel the most important thing that America can provide us – pressure on them.” He noted that while military support continues to arrive, diplomatic efforts against the Kremlin have weakened.
He acknowledged the ongoing military assistance, stating, “I am not talking about their weapon packages. They continue to arrive, and we are grateful for that, as we can use European funds to purchase some anti-ballistic missiles.” However, he stressed that mere provision of arms is insufficient without sustained economic and political pressure.
Zelensky also addressed Ukraine’s stance on attacks against Russian energy infrastructure, confirming that the country has rejected requests from partners to refrain from such actions. He remarked, “We received messages from partners suggesting that due to the challenges in the Middle East, it might be wise not to attack certain infrastructure, specifically energy infrastructure in Russia. And of course, I said ‘no’; we will respond… No one has offered us an energy truce. We are open to it, but if Russia attacks us, we will respond under any circumstances.”
Additionally, he criticized comments made by U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, who has opposed continued American support for Ukraine, arguing that such a position benefits Russia. Zelensky stated, “We are open, and we are not enemies. The enemy is Russia. If Vance takes pride in not helping us, it means he is helping the Russians. Russia does not respect weakness, and if no one helps us, we will certainly find ourselves in a weaker position.”
Ukrainian President Zelensky warns that the U.S. focus on the Middle East is reducing pressure on Russia, risking a prolonged conflict. He emphasizes the need for continued military and diplomatic support from the U.S. to counter Russian aggression.