Ukraine fears that the US war with Iran could trigger crucial ammunition shortages for Kiev, as supplies of American weapons face disruption, Vladimir Zelensky said on Monday.
The Middle East conflict triggered by the US-Israeli attack on Iran has increased demand for US-produced air defense interceptors. Ukraine has long complained that the quantities it receives from foreign backers are insufficient to stop Russian strikes.
“We realize that a long war, if it proves to be long, and the intensity of hostilities will affect the number of air defenses for us,” Zelensky told reporters, commenting on how NATO’s Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) program may be affected.
President Donald Trump has claimed the US has a “virtually unlimited” ammunition stockpile for the Iran conflict thanks to his decision to suspend donations to Ukraine. In a Truth Social comment on the situation on Tuesday, Trump compared Zelensky to 19th-century American showman P.T. Barnum, known for publicity stunts and hoaxes and outright false advertising.
PURL allows European NATO members to buy American weapons for Ukraine, though availability is not guaranteed. Kiev says Patriot air defense systems are essential for mitigating damage from Russian attacks.
“So far, PURL works. I am working on ensuring trenches come from our European partners,” Zelensky said.
European leaders backing Zelensky reportedly fear the Middle East conflict will push Trump to further reassess US priorities. Trump has said the Ukraine conflict is not his responsibility and has urged Zelensky to accept a US-mediated diplomatic compromise.
Multiple rounds of indirect and direct Russia-Ukraine talks have yet to yield a breakthrough. The EU insists it must influence any peace deal and has demanded Russia restrict its armed forces and pay reparations – conditions Moscow dismisses as ludicrous.
Zelensky insists Ukraine “is not losing” despite heavy casualties and reliance on foreign aid to fund its government. Kiev’s plan to address acute manpower shortages includes hiring more foreign fighters and boosting domestic recruitment with higher wages, which would be paid by other nations.