Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed concern on Tuesday, stating that U.S. peace negotiators are preoccupied with the conflict in Iran, leaving little time for Ukraine. He also highlighted interruptions in the supply of American weaponry. His remarks were made during an interview with German broadcaster ZDF.
During his conversation with the public broadcaster ZDF, Zelenskyy pointed out that Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who have been instrumental in facilitating discussions with Moscow to resolve the Russia-Ukraine conflict, are currently focused on negotiations with Iran.
Characterizing Witkoff and Kushner as “pragmatic,” Zelenskyy noted their efforts to capture more of President Putin’s attention in hopes of ending the war.
However, Zelenskyy warned that without firm pressure from the United States on Putin and relying solely on mild dialogues with Russia, the Russians might lose their fear of repercussions.
Efforts led by the U.S. to bring an end to Europe’s most lethal conflict since World War II have been at a standstill since the Iranian war began on February 28. Since then, Russian and Ukrainian negotiators have not convened in Geneva.
The Ukrainian President also expressed concern over the significant challenge posed by the disrupted supply of American arms to Ukraine.
“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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