Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused Iran of deliberately aligning with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, insisting that Ukraine never posed any threat to Tehran before it began supplying military support to Moscow.
Speaking amid rising tensions in the Middle East, Zelenskyy said Iran chose to become what he described as “Putin’s accomplice” by providing Shahed attack drones and related production technology used in Russia’s war against Ukraine.
According to the Ukrainian leader, since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, more than 57,000 Iranian-designed Shahed drones have been launched at Ukrainian cities, civilians and critical infrastructure. He said the attacks have particularly targeted energy facilities, worsening humanitarian conditions and disrupting daily life across the country.
Zelenskyy rejected any claim that Ukraine provoked Tehran, stressing that Ukrainians had never threatened Iran. Instead, he argued, the Iranian government made a calculated decision to back Russia militarily, supplying not only drones but other forms of weaponry.
He added that Ukraine is not the only country affected by what he described as Iranian-backed aggression, suggesting that other nations have also suffered from Tehran’s support for armed conflicts.
While reiterating that Ukraine seeks to prevent further escalation and preserve lives, Zelenskyy praised what he called decisive action by the United States, saying firm global leadership weakens destabilising actors. He expressed hope that recent upheavals in the Middle East would ultimately produce greater regional stability.
Zelenskyy concluded by stating that Ukraine stands ready to support international efforts aimed at strengthening global security and curbing what he termed terrorist regimes.