Zelensky: Life in Europe and in Middle East deserve equally effective protection

According to Ukrinform, the head of state stressed this in his evening video address.

“I thank every leader and every country that remembers PURL – a program that allows us to purchase American interceptors for Patriots. We all understand the risks created by Iranian strikes and the resulting need for air defense in the Middle East. It is important that the protection of life is ensured here in Ukraine too,” Zelensky said.

“Even more so, since we see information about Russian assistance to the Iranian regime – reports indicate that the Russians are providing intelligence to the Iranian regime to help adjust strikes against Americans. There is also evidence of Russian components in the ‘shahed’ drones used in the Middle East – against both Arab countries and Americans in the region. Every such fact shows that we are dealing with regimes not merely connected to one another, but that sustain one another – the Russian and Iranian regimes. And they are killing in a practically coordinated way, both here in Europe and there in the Middle East,” the Ukrainian President added.

Zelensky stressed that this is precisely why protection must be coordinated.

“Life in Europe and life in the Middle East deserve equally effective protection. For our part, we are working to help strengthen defenses against ‘shahed’ drones. And we quite rightfully expect that our own defense will receive the necessary support as well, and that Russia will face consequences not only for dragging out this war against us, but also for attempting to expand that war further. Life needs protection – joint, strong, coordinated action,” he said.

As previously reported by Ukrinform, President Volodymyr Zelensky considers strikes on Iranian military targets justified, as Iran supplies weapons to Russia. However, operations in the Middle East could affect Ukraine’s ability to receive missiles and air defense systems.

The President also said that Ukraine is ready to assist the Middle Eastern countries in stabilizing the situation and protecting civilians in response to the threat posed by Iranian strike drones and missiles, which destabilize the region and the global market.

Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine