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Describing them as “pragmatic,” Zelenskyy said the negotiators were seeking to engage Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy gestures as he addresses a press conference with the German Chancellor at the Chancellery in Berlin on April 14. (AFP)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday (local time) said that US peace negotiators are much occupied with the war in Iran, leaving little focus on efforts to end Russia’s war in Ukraine and contributing to delays in critical arms deliveries.
In an interview with German news outlet ZDF, the Ukrainian leader said that Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner — who have been involved in talks with Moscow — are “constantly in talks with Iran” at present.
Describing them as “pragmatic,” Zelenskyy said the negotiators were seeking to engage Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war, but warned that a softer approach could backfire. “If the United States does not put pressure on Putin and only engages in a gentle dialogue, then they will no longer be afraid,” he said.
Peace talks aimed at ending Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II have stalled since the Iran war escalated in late February. Russian and Ukrainian negotiators have not met since February in Geneva.
Zelenskyy also raised concerns about slowing US arms deliveries, calling the situation “a big problem” for Ukraine’s defence, particularly as the war drags on.
“If the war goes on, there will be less arms for Ukraine. It’s critical, especially in materials for air defences,” he said, highlighting shortages of key systems such as PAC-3 and PAC-2 interceptor missiles.
He noted that many of these weapons are being supplied through the Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List (PURL), a programme that allows European countries to finance US military equipment for Ukraine. However, deliveries have slowed amid shifting US priorities.
April 15, 2026, 02:26 IST
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