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Iran War Could Further Strengthen Russia and Increase Pressure on Ukraine, Zelenskyy Warns
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that a prolonged war in Iran would strengthen Russia and hurt Ukraine, according to Axios on March 31.
In an interview with the outlet after returning to Kyiv from a trip to the Middle East, Zelenskyy argued that the conflict benefits Moscow on several fronts.
He noted that higher oil prices support Russia’s oil-dependent economy, while Washington’s focus on the Middle East risks diverting attention and military aid away from Ukraine.
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“I am sure Russia wants a long war. They have benefits: The US is focusing on the Middle East and may decrease military help to Ukraine. Sanctions are partially lifted. I see only benefits for Russia from the war with Iran continuing,” Zelenskyy told Axios.
Zelenskyy also pointed to the risk of shortages of air defense interceptors and other urgently needed weapons for Kyiv.
He further expressed concern over US sanctions waivers tied to Russian oil sales during the energy crisis, noting that added revenue from energy exports would directly benefit Moscow at a time when Ukraine is trying to constrain Russia’s war effort.
Asked whether a prolonged Iran war could disrupt Ukraine’s weapons supply, he added: “I am not just concerned, I am sure we will have such challenges. Absolutely.”
The president also disclosed that Kyiv had shared intelligence with Middle Eastern governments on Russia’s alleged assistance to Iran.
According to Zelenskyy, Ukraine provided evidence that Russia may have supplied satellite imagery of US and European military bases and other critical infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan, and the UAE, and he suggested Moscow was helping Tehran with targeting in a format similar to the one Russia used in strikes on Ukraine.
During the trip, Zelenskyy discussed possible Ukrainian security assistance with leaders in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, and Jordan.
He noted that Ukrainian military specialists had recently been dispatched to several countries in the region to help counter Iranian drones, presenting Ukraine’s experience in combining different defensive systems to protect territory from aerial attack.
The concern in Kyiv also comes amid Tehran’s public signaling of closer political alignment with Moscow.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian publicly thanked the Russian leader, Vladimir Putin, for what he described as inspiration during the war involving Iran, the US, and Israel, in a March 26 post on X.
Writing in Russian, Pezeshkian framed Putin’s messages and support from the Russian people as a key source of motivation, underscoring the increasingly explicit political and military alignment between Moscow and Tehran.
He also wrote that Iranian “resistance and courage” are creating new bonds that will secure East Asia through regional powers, before thanking the Russian government and public on behalf of Iran.
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