By Tim Lister, Victoria Butenko, CNN
(CNN) — Ukraine does not “want to lose the Americans” while they are “without question, currently more focused on the Middle East,” President Volodymyr Zelensky has said.
There is growing apprehension in Kyiv that the conflict in the Middle East will divert attention, and weapons, from the war that has engulfed Ukraine for the past four years.
“We would very much not like the United States to step away from the issue of Ukraine because of the Middle East,” Zelensky said
In wide-ranging remarks released on Sunday, the Ukrainian leader expressed concern that there could be “delays in delivering certain weapons or reductions in the volume of critical defensive supplies for us,” because of the volume of munitions being used by the US in its strikes on Iran.
“The risk is very high, in my view,” he added.
Zelensky also provided details about Ukrainian drone experts assisting Gulf countries facing Iranian attacks. He said that three large teams, led by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, were in the region offering advice on countering Iranian drone attacks.
“The Americans reached out to us several times. There were several requests – either for assistance to a particular country or for support for Americans,” Zelensky added. “For now, we are providing guidance and consultations to help protect civilians and bases.”
In an interview with CNN’s Fareed Zakaria Sunday, Zelensky said Russia had been providing Iran with drones, which it manufactures under license.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has previously declined to comment when asked about reports, including from CNN, that Russia is providing Iran with intelligence about the locations and movements of American troops, ships and aircraft.
Ukraine has developed a variety of defenses against the thousands of Iranian-designed drones used in Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities and infrastructure.
In the remarks released on Sunday, Zelensky also said that Ukraine was ready to share the drone technology and electronic warfare systems it had developed with the US.
”As you can see in the Middle East, even if you have a sufficient number of missiles – anti-ballistic missiles – that is not enough. What you need is a protection system.”
Zelensky said he had spoken with President Donald Trump several times about the initiative, which could involve dozens of US and Ukrainian companies inventing interceptors, half of which would be used by Ukraine and the other half by partners.
“But so far, let’s say, we have not received a clear response.”
As the war in the Middle East continues, Ukraine is looking to other partners to bolster its air defenses, Zelensky said.
“SAMP/T is currently the only alternative in Europe,” Zelensky said, referring to the Franco-Italian surface‑to‑air missile system.
“This year, we will see whether the new SAMP/T systems can intercept ballistic missiles. If it works, it will provide long-term, valuable support.”
Zelensky also restated his opposition to the lifting of some