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.”