Zelensky Warns of Missile Shortage as Middle East Conflict Diverts Focus from Ukraine

Zelensky warns Ukraine may face missile shortages due to the Middle East conflict diverting US resources. He says the crisis benefits Putin, delays peace talks, and risks weakening Western unity, while urging Trump and Starmer to align strategies.

Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that Ukraine could soon face a shortage of critical missiles used in its war against Russia, linking the potential deficit to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
In an exclusive interview with the BBC, Zelensky said the diversion of global attention and military resources toward the Middle East could weaken Ukraine’s ability to sustain its defence against Russian aggression. He argued that Vladimir Putin stands to benefit from prolonged instability in the region.
According to Zelensky, Putin is interested in seeing a drawn-out confrontation involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, as it would shift US resources away from Ukraine. He suggested that such a scenario would ultimately strengthen Russia’s position on the battlefield by reducing the level of military support available to Kyiv.
Zelensky also addressed the stance of Donald Trump, claiming that the US leader is not clearly aligned with either side in the Russia-Ukraine war. He said Trump appears focused on maintaining a neutral position in order to preserve dialogue with Putin, adding that the US president does not want to “irritate” the Russian leader. Zelensky described Trump’s approach as one centred on negotiation rather than direct support for Ukraine.
The Ukrainian leader further called for improved coordination among Western allies, urging Trump and Keir Starmer to meet and establish a unified position. His appeal came in the context of recent tensions, including repeated criticism of Starmer by Trump, which Zelensky warned could undermine Western unity at a critical time.
Now in its third week, the conflict in the Middle East has expanded across the Gulf region, with Iran launching retaliatory strikes against neighbouring states following attacks by the United States and Israel. Zelensky said he had a “very bad feeling” about how the situation would affect Ukraine, noting that efforts toward peace negotiations have been repeatedly delayed. He attributed these delays directly to the escalation in Iran, stating that the war there has become a major distraction for global diplomacy.
Zelensky also highlighted the economic and military consequences of the Middle East conflict, explaining that rising global energy prices benefit Russia financially while simultaneously straining Ukraine. He warned that the shifting focus of US defence production could lead to shortages of key weapons systems for Ukraine.
In particular, he expressed concern over the availability of Patriot air defence missiles, saying there would “definitely” be a deficit. He described this as a serious challenge for Ukraine’s ability to defend itself against ongoing Russian attacks. Zelensky pointed out that US production levels are limited, estimating that America manufactures about 60 to 65 missiles per month, or roughly 700 to 800 annually. He contrasted this with the scale of usage in the Middle East, noting that approximately 803 missiles were deployed on the first day of that conflict alone.
Discussing Trump’s broader strategy, Zelensky said he believes the US president genuinely wants to end the war in Ukraine. However, he suggested that Trump and his advisers have chosen to maintain close communication with Putin, partly to avoid provoking him. Zelensky added that this approach reflects a perception that European leaders have already strained relations with the Russian president, making dialogue more difficult.
The escalating tensions in the Middle East, triggered by US and Israeli strikes on Iran, have also spilled over into diplomatic disagreements among Western allies. Trump has openly criticised NATO partners and questioned the level of military engagement from the United Kingdom, further complicating the geopolitical landscape.
Zelensky cautioned against divisions within the Western alliance, emphasising the importance of unity in confronting both Russian aggression and broader global instability. Speaking after talks with Starmer in London, he reiterated his desire for closer cooperation between the US and the UK, saying a meeting between Trump and Starmer could help “re-load the relationship” and establish a common strategic direction.
Tensions between the two leaders were underscored when Trump recently described Starmer as “no Winston Churchill,” while also calling him a “nice man” but expressing disappointment in his leadership. In response, Starmer maintained a firm stance, insisting that the UK would not be drawn into a wider war. Officials at Downing Street also reaffirmed the strength of the US-UK relationship, describing it as “enduring.”
Zelensky’s visit to London included a meeting at Downing Street, marking another stop in his broader tour of European capitals aimed at strengthening support for Ukraine. He visited Paris the previous week and is scheduled to travel to Madrid next. These diplomatic efforts come as the Middle East crisis increasingly overshadows Ukraine’s ongoing war, now in its fourth year since Russia’s full-scale invasion.
During his visit, Zelensky also addressed Members of Parliament at Westminster, delivering a strong message about the nature of alliances between hostile regimes. He described the governments of Russia and Iran as “brothers in hatred,” arguing that their cooperation extends to military support and shared objectives. He stressed the importance of ensuring that such regimes do not prevail or pose a threat to Europe and its allies.