Ukraine war briefing: War in the Middle East is bad news for Ukraine, says Zelenskyy

"It's understandable that the attention of the world [is] moving to [the] Middle East. It's not good for us. There is nothing good for Ukraine in the war in the Middle East. Kyiv is worried the war in the Middle East is drawing international attention away from the conflict in Ukraine particularly from its urgent need for anti-aircraft missiles, which are used in large numbers in the Gulf to counter Iranian missiles and drones."

"Ukraine truly wants to see a free Iran that will not cooperate with Russia or destabilize the Middle East, Europe, and the world. Zelenskyy said it was crucial that the Iranian regime gains nothing from the conflict and that the Iranian people have the right to determine their own fate."

"The US had sought a postponement of the latest round of three-sided talks on a settlement to Ukraine's four-year-old conflict with Russia. The comments claimed the US side said its negotiators were not permitted to leave the US in view of circumstances in the Middle East. Russia had not wanted to hold the talks in the US and had proposed alternative sites in Switzerland or Turkey."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed concern that escalating Middle East tensions are diverting world attention from Ukraine's ongoing conflict with Russia. He emphasized Ukraine's urgent need for anti-aircraft missiles, which are increasingly allocated to Gulf nations countering Iranian threats. Zelenskyy met with Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran's last shah, urging Iran to avoid cooperation with Russia and regional destabilization. He praised Pahlavi's support for Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity. Additionally, Zelenskyy noted that the US postponed settlement negotiations with Russia, citing Middle East circumstances preventing American negotiators from leaving the country, while Russia proposed alternative venues in Switzerland or Turkey.

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