Kyiv [Ukraine], April 23 (ANI): Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned that a prolonged conflict in Iran could jeopardise Ukraine’s ability to obtain critical US-supplied anti-missile defence systems.
In an interview with CNN, Zelenskyy said Kyiv has received only a limited number of such systems so far, in part because US production capacity is constrained. He said there has been no immediate disruption to current deliveries or intelligence support.
Zelenskyy noted that Ukraine has been purchasing American hardware through the PURL programme, which lets NATO members fund weapons for Kyiv. “Through this programme, we can include and buy anti-ballistic missiles for Patriot systems and some other weapons, which is very important for us. We don’t have this… with our European neighbours,” he told CNN.
But he cautioned that increasing instability in the Middle East could divert resources away from Ukraine. “And of course, (given) the big challenge in the Middle East war and Iran, all these packages are at risk,” he said.
The president pointed to the modest number of systems supplied so far, explaining the shortfall by saying US production “is not so big.” Zelenskyy warned that if the Middle East conflict continues or a ceasefire is delayed, Ukraine could face greater risks regarding anti-ballistic defences.
Amid these concerns, Zelenskyy said Ukraine is sharing its experience on combating drones with Middle Eastern partners. After four years of countering Russian-deployed drones—many of them Iranian designs—Kyiv is offering technical expertise and training.
He said agreements have been finalised with Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, and that Ukraine will continue to work with other countries, providing expertise first and carrying out training missions second. (ANI)
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