Prolonged Iran war could jeopardize Ukraine’s missile defence supply, Zelensky warns

Volodymyr Zelensky warned on Wednesday that Ukraine could face heightened risks in securing U.S. anti-missile defence systems if the conflict involving Iran drags on.

In an interview with CNN, Zelensky said Ukraine has received only limited quantities of such weaponry due to constrained U.S. production, though there has been no disruption so far in supplies or intelligence sharing.

He noted that Kyiv has been able to procure American weapons through a NATO-backed financing mechanism that allows allied countries to fund purchases. This includes critical anti-ballistic missiles for Patriot systems—capabilities Ukraine lacks access to from its European partners.

“Through this program, we can buy anti-ballistic missiles for Patriot systems and other key weapons,” Zelensky said. “But with the growing challenges in the Middle East, all these packages are at risk.”

The Ukrainian leader added that the United States has supplied only a small number of such systems, citing limited production capacity. He warned that a prolonged conflict or delayed ceasefire in the region could further strain availability, increasing risks for Ukraine’s air defence.

Zelensky also highlighted Ukraine’s growing defence cooperation with Middle Eastern nations, saying Kyiv is sharing expertise gained from years of countering drone attacks by Russian forces—many of which were designed by Iran.

He confirmed that agreements have already been signed with Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, with plans to expand cooperation further. “We are ready to provide both expertise and training missions,” he said.