Ukraine Concerned About Impact of Israel-Iran Conflict on Military Aid

Kyiv: Ukraine has expressed concerns that the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran could lead to a reduction in military aid, particularly as European support appears to be waning without active involvement from the United States. On Friday, Israel launched extensive attacks targeting Iran's nuclear and military facilities, high-ranking officials, and atomic scientists. In retaliation, Iran deployed drones and missiles against Israel. This escalation has sparked global concerns and calls for restraint, fearing a broader conflict. In Kyiv, there is anxiety that the U.S. might redirect resources to support Israel, a key ally. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of maintaining aid levels, stating that previous conflicts had slowed assistance to Ukraine. He also highlighted that European support is stagnant without U.S. engagement, leaving Europe uncertain about its role if America withdraws. The return of Donald Trump to the White House has disrupted the West's aid provisions to Ukraine, prompting Europe to explore ways to fill potential gaps if Trump withdraws U.S. support. Zelenskyy urged the U.S. to adopt a firmer stance in its dialogue with Russia, criticizing the current approach as too conciliatory. Trump's efforts to reconcile with Moscow, including multiple calls with Vladimir Putin, have astonished NATO allies, marking a significant shift from previous policies that severed most contacts following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The conflict has also led to a surge in oil prices, benefiting Russia, which Zelenskyy condemned, advocating for Western-imposed price caps on Russian oil exports. While Zelenskyy hopes to discuss price caps with Trump soon, he acknowledged that reduced Iranian military supplies to Russia, particularly drones, could indirectly benefit Ukraine.