Volodymyr Zelensky has urged caution amid escalating tensions with Iran, emphasising the paramount importance of preventing a wider regional conflict and fostering a collective sense of responsibility among international actors.
In response to recent developments in the Middle East, the Ukrainian president said international efforts should prioritise avoiding further escalation.
He emphasised the necessity for the United States to maintain a robust strategic position, asserting that Washington’s commitment is vital for global stability and offering reassurance about ongoing international initiatives.
Zelensky underscored that diplomatic engagement remains essential, even amid military tensions, and encouraged stakeholders to view diplomatic efforts as a means to avert large-scale warfare and nurture hope for peaceful resolutions.
These remarks come in the wake of joint military operations conducted by the United States and Israel targeting Iranian positions, which have elicited retaliatory strikes across various regions of the Gulf.
Ukraine has previously linked its stance on Iran to apprehensions regarding military cooperation between Russia and Tehran, particularly concerning the deployment of Iranian-made unmanned aerial systems in attacks against Ukrainian infrastructure. Analysts contend that Kyiv is navigating a delicate balance between supporting Western security frameworks and striving to mitigate the global spillover of conflict during the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Zelensky said in a statement on Saturday: “Our position is well known, and Ukraine has stated it repeatedly, including recently.
“It is important to preserve as many lives as possible. It is important to prevent the war from expanding. It is important that the United States is acting decisively. Whenever there is American resolve, global criminals weaken.”
He said the “events in the Middle East and the Gulf region are unfolding extremely rapidly. Unfortunately, Ukraine knows all too well what this is about.
“Although Ukrainians never threatened Iran, the Iranian regime chose to become Putin’s accomplice and supplied him with Shahed drones, and not only the drones themselves, but also the technologies to produce them.”
President Zelensky added: “Over the course of this full-scale war, Russia has used more than 57,000 Shahed-type attack drones against the Ukrainian people, cities, and energy infrastructure.
“Other nations have also suffered from Iranian-backed terror. Therefore, it is fair to give the Iranian people a chance to rid themselves of a terrorist regime and to guarantee security for all nations that have suffered from terror originating in Iran.”
